Recently, I have become quite curious to understand the Universe and theories explaining it’s origin, age, character, shape, etc. So, I finally posted the following post at sci.astro.amateur. Here’s the copy-paste of the same with minor formatting. If you have thoughts/advice, please do comment.

I am neither an astronomer nor a physicist. But I’ve become curious to learn about the origin of the Universe and have been trying to understand the Big Bang.

After going through the theory of Big Bang (not in the level of depth that most educated physicists or astronomers would study), I have developed some questions on the Big Bang. When I noticed this sci.astro.amateur group, I felt perhaps, I could ask them here. (Please forgive me and let me know if I have posted to the wrong group or if my questions appear silly/too basic to you)

I would appreciate any guidance / pointers to references that would help me with answers:

1 (a) “According to the Big Bang model, the universe expanded from an extremely dense and hot state and continues to expand today. A common
analogy explains that space itself is expanding, carrying galaxies with it, like raisins in a rising loaf of bread.” – Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang

1 (b) On the same Wikipedia page, there is also a reference to “primeval atom”, which appears to be the accepted theory from which the Universe emerged. (Please correct me)

QUESTIONS:

- Where did the primeval atom come from?

- What was the composition of the atom? Makes me think, how tremendously intelligent and complex the composition of this primeval atom would be that upon the Big Bang, it led to the systematic emergence of numerous galaxies, elements, compounds, and even life!

- What intelligence created this atom or how did it come into existence?

- If the overall energy in the Universe is constant, why at a finite point in potentially infinite past did the primeval atom containing constant energy burst with a Big Bang?

2. Is redhift of light to longer wavelengths the only base for accepting that the galaxies are moving away from each other?

3. If, indeed, the galaxies were moving from each other can there be no other possibility, other than that the Universe is expanding? Is there any other scientific base with sufficient proof to the theory of the expansion of Universe?

Thanks in advance for helping me.

Regards,

Chintan Zaveri.