Part of a series on |
Physical cosmology |
---|
In physical cosmology, the age of the universe is the time elapsed since the Big Bang: 13.8 billion years.[1] Astronomers have two different approaches to determine the age of the universe. One is based on a particle physics model of the early universe called Lambda-CDM, matched to measurements of the distant, and thus old features, like the cosmic microwave background. The other is based on the distance and relative velocity of a series or "ladder" of different kinds of stars, making it depend on local measurements late in the history of the universe.[2] These two methods give slightly different values for the Hubble constant, which is then used in a formula to calculate the age. The range of the estimate is also within the range of the estimate for the oldest observed star in the universe.[3]