The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was built and launched by NASA to measure a remnant of the early universe - its oldest light. The conditions of the early times are imprinted on this light. It is the result of what happened earlier, and a backlight for the later development of the universe. This light lost energy as the universe expanded over 13.7 billion years, so WMAP now sees the light as microwaves. By making accurate measurements of microwave patterns, WMAP has answered many longstanding questions about the universe's age, composition and development.
This video from Goddard's tape archive features Dr. Bennett after the first results were announced in 2003.", "items": [], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 348926, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11008/#media_group_348926", "widget": "Video player", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Short video featuring interviews with Dr. Charles Bennett and Dr. Lyman Page
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"page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "The WMAP Spacecraft", "description": "Scientists using NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anistropy Probe (WMAP) have created the most detailed portrait of the infant Universe. By capturing the afterglow of the Big Bang, called the cosmic microwave background (CMB), we now believe the Universe to be 13.7 billion years olf. Encoded in these patterns is much-anticipated information about the fundamental properties of the early Universe. WMAP launched on June 30, 2001. || ", "release_date": "2007-07-03T00:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2023-05-03T13:55:38.165685-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 508081, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010100/a010121/WMAPspins288.jpg", "filename": "WMAPspins288.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "WMAP spins like a top to capture light from every part of the sky.", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "pixels": 921600 } }, { "id": 10122, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10122/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "WMAP Hard at Work", "description": "Scientists using NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anistropy Probe (WMAP) have created the most detailed portrait of the infant Universe. By capturing the afterglow of the Big Bang, called the cosmic microwave background (CMB), we now believe the Universe to be 13.7 billion years old. Encoded in these patterns is much-anticipated information about the fundamental properties of the early Universe. WMAP launched on June 30, 2001. || ", "release_date": "2007-07-03T00:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2023-05-03T13:55:38.286656-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 508090, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010100/a010122/WMAPmaps106.jpg", "filename": "WMAPmaps106.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "This animation shows the WMAP spacecraft spinning, then reveals the data that it collected.", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "pixels": 921600 } }, { "id": 10123, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10123/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "WMAP's Portrait of the Early Universe", "description": "Scientists using NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anistropy Probe (WMAP) have created the most detailed portrait of the infant Universe. By capturing the afterglow of the Big Bang, called the cosmic microwave background (CMB), we now believe the Universe to be 13.7 billion years old. Encoded in these patterns is much—anticipated information about the fundamental properties of the early Universe. WMAP launched on June 30, 2001. || ", "release_date": "2007-07-03T00:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2015-12-01T09:07:43-05:00", "main_image": { "id": 508099, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010100/a010123/WMAPportrait1333.jpg", "filename": "WMAPportrait1333.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "This animation begins with a zoom into the WMAP data. We then see the formation of the first stars and galaxies. The images zooms out to reveal the relative locations of the WMAP data and from where the satellite is observing.", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "pixels": 921600 } } ], "sources": [], "products": [ { "id": 13184, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13184/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "Goddard at 60", "description": "On July 29, 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. When it began operations on October 1, 1958, NASA consisted mainly of the four laboratories and some 80 employees of the government's 46-year-old research agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Goddard Space Flight Center was established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center.In celebration of its 60th year, we look back at the innovations and scientific impacts the women and men of Goddard have made throughout its history. || ", "release_date": "2019-04-29T00:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2023-05-03T13:45:59.759185-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 396305, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a013100/a013184/G60_Thumb.png", "filename": "G60_Thumb.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Goddard End Tag Version. This version uses a Goddard specific animation ending.Music: \"Downloading Landscapes,\" \"Virtual Memory,\" \"Momentum,\" \"History in Motion,\" Killer Tracks MusicComplete transcript available.Speakers in order of appearance:James Kupperian, Jr., Orbiting Astronomical Observatories Project Scientist John Mather, COBE Principal InvestigatorJean Olivier, HST Deputy Project ManagerDouglas Broome, HST Program ManagerDavid Leckrone, HST Project ScientistBarbara Mikulski, US Senator, MarylandClaire Parkinson, Aqua Project ScientistMarshall Shepard, TRMM Project ScientistMichael Mumma, Planetary ScientistGeorge Simnett, SOHO/LASCO ScientistCharles Bennett, WMAP Principal InvestigatorJennifer Wiseman, HST Program ScientistCathy Peddie, LRO Deputy Project ManagerJennifer Eigenbrode, Mars Science Laboratory ScientistEric Christian, IBEX Mission ScientistJulie McEnery, Fermi Project ScientistC. Alex Young, SDO ScientistJim Garvin, GSFC Chief ScientistEugene Parker, AstrophysicistAmber Straughn, JWST Deputy Project ScientistNeil Gehrels, Swift Principal InvestigatorMichelle Thaller, NASA AstrophysicistTemilola Fatoyinbo, Research ScientistPiers Sellers, Earth Science Division DirectorChris Scolese, Goddard Center Director<>John F. Clark, Goddard Center Director", "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "pixels": 2073600 } } ], "newer_versions": [], "older_versions": [], "alternate_versions": [] }