George F. Smoot, Who Showed How the Cosmos Began, Is Dead at 80

George F. Smoot, a renowned astrophysicist, passed away at the age of 80. Smoot's most significant contribution was leading a team that helped confirm the existence of the Big Bang, the theory that the universe originated from a single, extremely hot and dense state. This discovery earned Smoot and his team the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006. Smoot's work involved analyzing the cosmic microwave background radiation, a faint glow that permeates the universe and is believed to be a remnant of the Big Bang. By studying the subtle variations in this radiation, Smoot and his team were able to provide strong evidence for the Big Bang theory, revolutionizing our understanding of the origins of the cosmos. Smoot's groundbreaking research has had a lasting impact on the field of cosmology, and his contributions have been recognized worldwide. His passing marks the end of an era in the scientific community, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations of astrophysicists.