Above is a microwave image of the entire sky. The plane of our galaxy runs horizontally through the center. These spots are the oldest, most distant structures known. As our Universe expanded and cooled, conglomerations of mass formed. By studying the size and distribution of the spots found with COBE and future missions , astronomers hope to learn what matter and processes caused the spots to form - and hence determine the composition , density, and future of our Universe.
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