Timeline of the Big Bang Theory13.8 billion years ago – The big explosion happened; the universe begins from a hot, dense pointFirst few seconds – Formation of basic particles (protons, neutrons, electrons)3 minutes later – Formation of simple nuclei (hydrogen, helium)380,000 years later – Universe cools; atoms form; light is released (Cosmic Microwave Background)Millions of years later – First stars and galaxies formNow – Universe is still expanding and evolving