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 with the Big Bang, approximately 13.8 billion years ago, and has been expanding ever since. Within the Universe, our home is the Milky Way galaxy, which is just one of many. The Universe operates under the laws of physics, governed by forces such as gravity and electromagnetism. Scientists study the Universe to understand its origins, structure, and the fundamental forces that shape it.