The expanding universe is the idea that the space between galaxies is getting larger over time. This concept comes from observing that most galaxies are moving away from us, and the farther away a galaxy is, the faster it seems to be moving. This observation led to the conclusion that the universe started from a very small, hot, and dense state—often referred to as the Big Bang—around 13.8 billion years ago. As the universe has expanded since then, it's been cooling down and allowing stars and galaxies to form. This expansion is still happening today, and it's a key idea in modern cosmology, helping us understand the history and structure of the universe[tex].[/tex]