Astronomy Picture of the Day · February 17, 2003

Universe Age from Microwave Background

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 17, 2003 is “Universe Age from Microwave Background,” an image. It is credited to Credit: WMAP Science Team , NASA. The original explanation runs about 178 words.

From the explanation

“7 billion years old — but how? At first look, one only sees the microwave glow of gas from our Milky Way Galaxy , coded red, and a spotty pattern of microwaves emitted from the early universe , coded in gray.”

— APOD editors, February 17, 2003

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: February 17, 2003
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: WMAP Science Team , NASA
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 178 words

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Topics in this entry

The Milky Way Galaxies

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: February 17 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, February 17, 2003 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2003-february-17-universe-age-from-the-microwave-background

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.