CHAPTER THREE THE BIG BANG & BEYOND: LEARNING HOW THE UNIVERSE TOOK SHAPE We've all heard about the possible beginning of the Universe in a flash of immense energy and light, but what does it all mean? Are there recognizable patterns and rules throughout the vast expanse of the Universe? Can we trace their emergence and development through time, from the Big Bang to the present? It's almost unimaginable figuring out how the Universe we observe today developed from such an early and impetuous beginning some 15 billion years ago. It's even more of a mystery what the Universe of the future will bring. And yet these ideas hold some of the greatest intrigue of our time. To figure out where we are, not to mention where we're going, it's always a good idea to know where we have been. This section takes us on that journey, attempting to bring into focus today's scientific queries about how the Universe took shape. You'll smile in recognition, seeing the sense and symmetry of Nature in this tale too. Read more on the Big Bang... Last Updated: