503-universe-held-in-hand-inflation — The universe is shown when it was only 10 centimeters in diameter, 10^-32 seconds after the Big Bang during the inflation era. A conceptual, allegorical illustration depicting the early universe or cosmic inflation cradled within an open human hand against a stark black void. The universe is captured as a brilliant, fractured sphere of crystalline shards and intense explosive energy. Energetic rays of white, gold, and violet radiation burst outward from the central core, illuminating the fingers and palm from below to signify the immense scale and power of cosmic origins. Cover for Astronomy magazine, March 2016. Digital art by Don Dixon.
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