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(Illustration: Future plc)

0 to 1 second Starting with what is known as the ‘Planck era’, this first second brings the first particles into existence via the Big Bang.

1 second to 380,000 years After 380,000 years the first atoms– mainly hydrogen and helium – are formed. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.

380,000 to 400,000 years The cosmic expansion that led to the CMB is now cool enough to permeate throughout the universe.

150 million to 1 billion years The ‘Reionisation era’, which sees ancient luminous sources (thought to be stars, dwarf galaxies or quasars) ionising interstellar gas.

1.6 million to 400 million years Gravity begins to form stars and galaxies from clouds of gas. Heavier atoms are formed in the stars’ core and released via a supernova explosion.

400 million to 9.2 billion years The creation of the first stars powers the creation of the first galaxies, the oldest of which we know is GN-z11.

9.2 billion years to today Our Solar System forms from the collapse of a cloud of gas and dust, which is possibly triggered by a nearby supernova.

13.8 billion years The current age of the universe, which is calculated using ancient stars and the relic radiation leftover from the Big Bang.