The earliest moment after the Big Bang, where quantum effects dominated.
Explore the sequence of cosmic epochs that followed the Planck era—from the Grand Unification and inflation to recombination, the dark ages, and the formation of galaxies. This interactive guide explains the key physical processes, temperatures, and observations that define each stage of the universe’s evolution.
The Planck epoch is the earliest period in the history of the universe, lasting from t=0 to t=10^-43 seconds, when all four fundamental forces were unified and quantum gravity dominated. This article explores the Planck epoch and the subsequent cosmic epochs that shaped the universe we observe today.
From the Planck epoch’s unimaginable heat to the cool darkness of the cosmic microwave background, the early universe underwent a dramatic cooling as it expanded. This guide traces the temperature milestones that shaped matter, light, and structure.
