An illustration of our cosmic history, from the Big Bang until the present, within the context of the expanding Universe. We cannot be certain, despite what many have contended, that the Universe began from a singularity. We can, however, break the illustration you see into the different eras based on properties the Universe had at those particular times. We are already in the Universe’s 6th and final era. (Credit: NASA/WMAP science team)

The Universe is already in its sixth and final era

From before the Big Bang to the present day, the Universe goes through many eras. Dark energy heralds the final one.

The Universe is not the same today as it was yesterday. With each moment that goes by, a number of subtle but important changes occur, even if many of them are imperceptible on…