Recombination

See also: recombination

English

Etymology

From recombination.

The name is slightly inaccurate and is given for historical reasons: in fact the electrons and atomic nuclei were combining for the first time.

Proper noun

Recombination

1. (cosmology) The epoch of recombination of the Universe, where atomic matter formed from free particles, combining protons with electrons. One of the Ages of the Universe. The cosmic era when neutral hydrogen formed out of the cosmic soup of protons and electrons in plasma, that condensed out of the energy of the Big Bang. This era produces the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).

Synonyms

• Age of Recombination
• Epoch of Recombination
• Era of Recombination
• Recombination Age
• Recombination Epoch
• Recombination Era

 

Coordinate terms

• Big Bang
• Black Hole Age / Black Hole Era / Black Hole Epoch
• Cosmic Dark Ages / Cosmic Dark Age
• Heat Death of the Universe
• Inflation
• Radiation Age / Radiation Era / Radiation Epoch
• Reionization
• Stelliferous Age / Stelliferous Era / Stelliferous Epoch