Hey Lykkers, have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered — what was there before the universe began? This question might sound like something out of science fiction, but it's a mystery that has puzzled scientists and thinkers for over 1600 years.

Today, we’re diving into some mind-bending theories about what may have existed before the birth of the universe. So, let’s explore this cosmic mystery together!

The Beginning of Time Itself

The theory of cosmic origin suggests that around 13.7 billion years ago, everything we know — time, space, matter — began from a tiny, infinitely dense point called a singularity. But here’s the catch: asking what came before the birth of the universe might not even make sense, because time itself began with that very moment. That means there may not have been a “before” in the way we understand it.

Back in the 4th century, philosopher Augustine already believed that time didn't exist until the world was created. Later on, Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity gave us a deeper understanding: time is affected by gravity. This means the very fabric of time and space was born with the origin of the universe.

From a Singularity to a Universe

In 1927, Belgian physicist Georges Lemaître proposed that the universe started from a single point and rapidly expanded. According to this logic, the moment of expansion also marks the start of time. So technically, the question of what came before the universe’s beginning becomes tricky — there was no “before” because time didn’t exist yet!

Leftover Clues: The Cosmic Microwave Background

But scientists weren’t satisfied with that explanation alone. In 1965, astronomers detected the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which is like a faint echo of the universe’s fiery beginning. These leftover signals from the early universe raised even more questions — mainly because the CMB wasn’t perfectly even. The slight temperature differences hint that our universe might have budded off from an older one.

Are We Just One Bubble in a Multiverse?

This idea led to a wild theory: our universe could be just one bubble in a giant “multiverse.” Imagine a pot of boiling water, where each bubble is its own universe. That’s how some cosmologists see it. They call this the “eternal inflation theory,” where countless new universes are constantly forming from older ones. Each of these “baby universes” might have different laws of physics.

Black Holes and White Holes: The Cosmic Recyclers

Another exciting theory involves black holes. Think of them as cosmic garbage compactors — they pull in everything, even light. Some scientists believe that a black hole in another universe could have created our universe by spewing out matter through something called a “white hole.” White holes are hypothetical and are the opposite of black holes — they push things out rather than pulling them in. According to this idea, our universe may have been born from one of these.

The Big Bounce: A Universe That Keeps Repeating

Let’s talk about one of the most fascinating possibilities — the “Big Bounce” theory. Instead of the universe starting from nothing, this theory says the universe goes through endless cycles of expansion and contraction. Just like breathing in and out, the universe might stretch, collapse, and bounce back into a new beginning. Some ancient Indian philosophers even imagined something similar thousands of years ago!

In the Big Bounce model, negative energy plays a key role. It could counteract gravity and prevent the universe from collapsing into a singularity, allowing it to bounce back. This theory suggests that time has always existed — the universe has just been cycling through stages again and again. Each cycle could last a trillion years!

So, What Was There Before the Universe Began?

Honestly? We still don’t know for sure. It might have been complete nothingness — or it could’ve been another universe, or a whole sea of them. We might be just one version of an endless number of realities. What’s truly amazing is that every new discovery brings us closer to understanding our place in this mysterious cosmos.

Let’s Keep Wondering Together

Lykkers, questions like “what came before the universe began” open doors to endless imagination. While many mysteries remain, every step we take in understanding the universe brings us closer to something extraordinary. From strange cosmic ripples to the idea of bouncing realities, there’s always something new to spark our curiosity.

Let’s stay curious, keep asking questions, and explore the unknown side by side. Who knows? The next big discovery might start with one of our thoughts!