COBE
Cosmic Background Explorer
COBE
was launched in 1989 to study the cosmic background radiation, the fading flash
from the big bang. It mapped the background radiation across the entire sky and
measured, with extraordinary precision, tiny variations in the temperature of
the radiation. Using the data from these detectors, astronomers created maps of
the sky at far infrared and microwave (radio) wavelengths.The results thrilled astronomers. COBE verified their predictions about the intensity and spectrum of the background radiation. It also discovered that the background radiation is not uniform, but appears lumpy-ghostly evidence of the beginnings of structure in the Universe.
Observations
COBE
carried three types of instruments. FIRAS (Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer)
recorded the cosmic background radiation's spectrum. DIRBE (Diffuse Infrared Background
Experiment) helped map the cosmic background radiation's distribution. Three DMRs
(Differential Microwave Radiometers) measured tiny variations in the brightness
of the cosmic background radiation. Astronomers used COBE data to produce a map
of the Universe that portrays the cosmic background radiation across the entire
sky. The colors in the map represent extremely subtle temperature variations,
the first hint of structures that would become galaxies and galaxy clusters.Video:
COBE Components
COBE Map
DMR
DIRBE
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