PBS Space Time

The Cosmic Dark Ages

PBS Space Time

Summary

Marketers are increasingly voicing concerns about "bullspend," a term used to describe ad campaigns that generate impressive metrics but fail to convert into actual leads or sales. This phenomenon has led to discussions about the effectiveness of marketing strategies, particularly when superficial metrics like impressions are prioritized over tangible results.

In the realm of astronomy, researchers delve into the Cosmic Dark Ages, a period that spans approximately 100 million years following the formation of the first atoms after the Big Bang. During this time, the universe was devoid of light sources, making it challenging to study. However, scientists have made significant strides in understanding this era, which began with the event known as recombination, when the universe cooled enough for hydrogen and helium atoms to form. This marked the transition to a transparent universe, leading to the eventual emergence of the first stars and galaxies.

The first stars, believed to have formed around 150 million years after recombination, were massive and played a crucial role in reionizing the universe. Their intense ultraviolet radiation stripped electrons from surrounding gas, contributing to the end of the Cosmic Dark Ages and the beginning of the epoch of reionization. This process is evidenced by the light absorption patterns observed in quasars, which provide insights into the universe's evolution during this formative period. Researchers aim to explore deeper into the Cosmic Dark Ages using advanced radio telescopes to capture elusive signals from this time.

Show Notes

To Learn more about ExpressVPN, visit: https://www.expressvpn.com/spacetimeUploaded 16-05-19PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACEWe live in the stelliferous era. Somewhere between 10 and 1000 billion trillion stars fill the observable universe with light. But there was a time before the first star ignited. A time we call the cosmic dark ages.Check out the new Space Time Merch Store!https://pbsspacetime.com/Support Space Time on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeNeed a Black Hole Refresherhttps://youtu.be/vNaEBbFbvcY#theuniverse #astrophyics #spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'DowdGraphics by Aaron HavleyDirected by Andrew KornhaberProduced By: Kornhaber BrownIn astronomy we study things that are very far away. It’s a powerful challenge because even the brightest objects are almost impossibly faint when you view them from the other side of the universe. But there’s an up side. If the light from some space object took billions of years to get to us then we see that object as it was billions of years ago. In this way we can peer back in time and literally see the past in motion. In fact we’re able to see some of the first stars and galaxies to ever form. But if we look beyond, both in distance and in time, there is … nothing. Darkness. For the hundred million years or so between the formation of the first atom and the formation of the first star there were no light sources in the universe. These were the cosmic dark ages. It’s a period of cosmic history rarely discussed because it’s hellishly difficult to observe. Fortunately scientists are devilishly clever. So what do we know about the time before stars?Special Thanks to our Patreon Supporters!Big Bang Supporters:Anton LifshitsDavid NicklasFabrice EapJuan BenetQuasar Supporters:Mark RosenthalTambe BarsbayVinnie FalcoHypernova Supporters: Antoine BrugierChuck zegarDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinEdmund FokschanerHank SJohn HofmannJordan YoungJoseph SalomonekkmMark HeisingMatthewMatthew O'ConnorGamma Ray Burst Supporters: Adrien MoyneuxAlexey EromenkoAndreas NautschAntonio RuizBradley JenkinsBrandon LabonteCarlo MogaveroDaniel LyonsDavid BehtalaDFaulkDustan JonesGeoffrey ShortJames FlowersJames QuinteroJohn FunaiJohn PollockJonahJonathan NesfederJoseph DillmanJoseph EmisonJosh ThomasKevin WarneKyle HoferMalte UblMark VasileNathan HitchingsNick VirtuePaul RoseRyan JonesScott GossettSigurd Ruud FrivikTim StephaniTommy MogensenYurii Konovaliukسلطان الخليفي Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from PBS Space Time

Oct 29, 2026

Check out the NEW Space Time Merch Store: https://www.pbsspacetime.com/shop Use Code: PBS at Checkout for 15% off in December

Oct 29, 2026

Remove your personal information from the web at https://joindeleteme.com/SPACETIME

Oct 29, 2026

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACE↓ More info below ↓Uploaded 09-03-21https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeWe know that gravity exerts its pull on light, and we have an explanation for why. Actually, we have multiple explanations that all predict the same thing. And at first glance, these explanations seem to describe completely different causes. So what is the true connection between light and gravity, or is truth, in fact, entirely relative?Sabine Hossenfelder's episode "Do we travel through time at the speed of light?"https://youtu.be/iBTez-nTKesCheck out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://www.pbsspacetime.com/shopSign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'Dowd Graphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, Pedro Osinski, Adriano Leal and Stephanie FariaGFX Visualizations: Katherine KorneiDirected by Andrew KornhaberAssistant Producer: Setare GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew Kornhaber"FREE GMC Motorhome reimagined low poly" (https://skfb.ly/6XxAN) by Karol Miklas is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). "Heavy Cannon Tower" (https://skfb.ly/6WQqP) by Kai Xiang is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). "Sentinelle - Matrix" (http://sskfb.ly/6sMKI) by niko300 is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licensesby/4.0/) Spaceballs RV (http://sskfb.ly/6RBOs) by Warkarma is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licensesby/4.0/)End Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRl6-nb4iOnsij-vnpAjp0QSpecial thanks to Our Patrons!Big Bang SponsorsRick DeWittSandy WuMatthew MillerBrodie RaoScott GrayAhmad JodehRadu NegulescuAlexander TamasMorgan HoughJuan BenetFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid NicklasQuasar SponsorsHank SChristina OegrenMark HeisingHypernova Supporterswilliam bryanNick BerardPaul Stehr-GreenLeo EmersonmuOn MarketingRussell PopeBen DeloL. Wayne AusbrooksNicholas NewlinAdrian PosorMark Matthew BoskoАнтон КочковAlec S-LJohn R. SlavikMathewDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph SalomoneMatthew O'Connorchuck zegarJordan Youngm0nkJohn HofmannTimothy McCullochGamma Ray Burst SupportersDouglas DraneBen CampbellLawrence Tholl, DVMFaraz KhanAlmog CohenAlex EdwardsNickÁdám KettingerSylvain LeducAnthony KahngMD3Endre PechDaniel JenningsCameron SampsonPratik MukherjeeGeoffrey ClarionNateDarren DuncanLily kawaiiRuss CreechJeremy ReedDerek DavisEric WebsterSteven SartoreDrJYouDavid JohnstonJ. KingMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyDrew HartJustin JermynMr TAndrew MannJeremiah Johnsonfieldsa eleanoryPeter MertzKevin O'ConnellRichard DeightonIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganDawn M FinkBleys GoodsonDarryl J LyleRobert WalterBruce BIsmael MontecelSimon OliphantMirik GogriDavid HughesMark Daniel CohenBrandon LattinNickolas Andrew FreemanShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiAstaurusEric KieblerCraig StonahaMartin SkansMichael ConroyGraydon GossFrederic SimonTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GKevin LeeAdrian HatchYurii KonovaliukJohn FunaiCass CostelloGeoffrey ShortBradley JenkinsKyle HoferTim StephaniLuaanAlecZeroCodyMalte UblKing ZeckendorffNick VirtueScott GossettMartin J LollarDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkGrowingVioletKevin WarneAndreas NautschBrandon labonte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2026

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACE↓ More info below ↓Uploaded 21-04-21Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord!https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeThat Einstein guy was a real bummer for our hopes of a star-hopping, science-fiction-y future. His whole “nothing travels faster than light” rule seems to ensure that exploration of even the local part of our galaxy will be an excruciating slow. But Einstein also gave us a glimmer of hope. He showed us that space and time can be warped - and so the warp drive was conceived. Just recently, a couple of papers contend that these are not pure science fiction. Check Out Our Previous Warp Drive Episodehttps://youtu.be/94ed4v_T6YMWarp Drive PapersIntroducing Physical Warp Drivehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fv14i7l0KP-KWTdYbNtTILxE10jCkThO/viewBreaking the Warp Barrierhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1idkNv0pe5IJv-t7E5vogbNilbPjIoA79/viewCheck out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://www.pbsspacetime.com/shopSign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt Caplan and Matt O'Dowd Graphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, Pedro Osinski, Adriano Leal and Stephanie FariaGFX Visualizations: Katherine KorneiDirected by Andrew KornhaberAssistant Producer: Setare GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberEnd Credits Music by J.R.S. Schattenberg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRl6-nb4iOnsij-vnpAjp0QSpecial Thanks to Our Patreon Supporters Big BangLeo KoguanRick DeWittSandy WuMatthew MillerBrodie RaoScott GrayAhmad JodehRadu NegulescuAlexander TamasMorgan HoughJuan BenetVinnie FalcoFabrice EapMark RosenthalDavid Nicklas QuasarHank SStephen WilcoxChristina OegrenMark Heising Hypernovawilliam bryanScott GorlickNick BerardPaul Stehr-GreenMuOn MarketingRussell PopeBen DeloL. Wayne AusbrooksNicholas NewlinAdrian PosorАнтон КочковJohn R. SlavikMathewDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph Salomonechuck zegarJordan Youngm0nkJohn HofmannTimothy McCullochGamma Ray BurstG MackThe Mad MechanicJuan David Gil WiedmanEllis HallJohn H. Austin, Jr.Diana SDouglas DraneBen CampbellLawrence Tholl, DVMFaraz KhanAlmog CohenAlex EdwardsNickÁdám KettingerSylvain LeducAnthony KahngMD3Endre PechDaniel JenningsCameron SampsonPratik MukherjeeGeoffrey ClarionNateDarren DuncanRuss CreechJeremy ReedDerek DavisEric WebsterSteven SartoreDavid JohnstonJ. KingMichael BartonChristopher BarronJames RamseyDrew HartJustin JermynMr TAndrew MannJeremiah Johnsonfieldsa eleanoryPeter MertzKevin O'ConnellIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganDawn M FinkBleys GoodsonDarryl J LyleRobert WalterBruce BIsmael MontecelSimon OliphantMirik GogriMark Daniel CohenBrandon LattinNickolas Andrew FreemanShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughRobert IlardiAstaurusEric KieblerCraig StonahaMartin SkansMichael ConroyGraydon GossFrederic SimonTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GKevin LeeAdrian HatchYurii KonovaliukJohn FunaiCass CostelloTristan DelocheBradley JenkinsKyle HoferTim StephaniDaniel StříbrnýLuaanAlecZeroVlad ShipulinCodyMalte UblKing ZeckendorffNick VirtueScott GossettDan WarrenPatrick SuttonJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsDFaulkGrowingVioletKevin WarneAndreas NautschBrandon labonte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2026

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACEUploaded 03-10-18On this Space Time Journal Club we look at how gravitational waves can be used to search for extra dimensions of space! To learn more about CuriosityStream you can go to: https://www.curiositystream.com/space...and use the code "spacetime" during the sign-up process."Limits on the number of spacetime dimensions from GW170817"Pardo, Fishbach, Holz and Spergel 2018 https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.08160You can further support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeGet your own Space Time t­-shirt at http://bit.ly/1QlzoBiTweet at us! @pbsspacetimeFacebook: facebook.com/pbsspacetimeEmail us! pbsspacetime [at] gmail [dot] comComment on Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/pbsspacetimeHelp translate our videos!https://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_...Previous Episode:Quantum Gravity and the Hardest Problem in Physicshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNEBhwimJWsHosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'DowdGraphics by Luke MaroldiAssistant Editing and Sound Design by Mike PetrowMade by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)Special thanks to our Patreon Big Bang, Quasar and Hypernova Supporters: Big BangJustin LloydAnton LifshitsCoolAsCatsDavid NicklasFabrice EapQuasarDean FuquaMark RosenthalMayank M. MehrotaRoman PinchukTambe BarsbayVinnie FalcoHypernovaBrent MullinsChuck ZegarDonal BotkinEdmund FokschanerJohn HofmannJordan YoungJoseph SalomoneMatthew O’ConnorRatfeastThanks to our Patreon Gamma Ray Burst Supporters: Alexander RodriguezAlexey EromenkoBenoit Pagé-GuitardBrandon CookBrandon LabonteDaniel LyonsDavid CraneDeborah WhittakerFabian OlesenGreg AllenGreg WeissJames FlowersJames HughesJJ BagnellJon FolksKevin WarneMalte UblMark VasileNicholas RoseNick VirtueScott GossettShannan Catalanoسلطان الخليفي Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See all episodes →