We do not yet know exactly how long ago the big bang took place, although there have been several calculations and studies over the years.

To solve the mystery of the age of the universe, some astronomers are now looking at the element hydrogen.  

- Hydrogen emits weak radiation, and we can observe it, says astronomer Marc Klein Wolt in the program Science World - The stars from the universe's infancy.

Sent with radio telescope in 2019

When China made a landing on the far side of the moon in 2019, Marc Klein sent Wolt with a radio telescope.

It will measure signals from the dark ages of the universe – the time between the big bang and the formation of the first stars and galaxies.

During the Dark Ages, space was filled with a thick fog of hydrogen atoms that emitted radiation due to their neutral charge.

As the dark ages began to draw to a close and stars began to light up, the charge on the hydrogen atoms changed and they stopped radiating.

Therefore, astronomers today want to measure the radiation of the early hydrogen atoms in order to determine the time when the universe passed from the dark age to a luminous universe.

- We had to send up a radio telescope with the satellite to measure signals from the dark ages.

This is groundbreaking research.

It looks at something we haven't seen before, he says.

More measurements are expected

Even more missions to the far side of the moon are planned, and scientists hope to get the data needed to calculate the correct age of the universe. 

The world of science - The stars from the childhood of the universe on 30/1 in SVT2 at 20:00 or whenever you want on SVT Play.