The Universe is the vast expanse that includes all of space, time, matter, and energy. It contains billions of galaxies, each made up of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. The Universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang, an event that marked the beginning of its expansion. Within the Universe, our home is the Milky Way galaxy, which is just one of many. The Universe is governed by physical laws, such as gravity, which affects how objects move and interact. Scientists study the Universe to understand its origins, structure, and the potential for life beyond Earth.