What theories about the creation of the universe have been accepted in the past?

Answer 1

Until the second half of the twentieth century, the Steady State Theory predominated. This holds that the universe has always existed, very much as it does now. Stars may grow old and cold, but new stars are formed out of the abundant interstellar matter. So, the universe will continue to exist as it does now, for many billions of years.

While the Steady State Theory may still have some adherents, the predominant theory among scientists is called the Big Bang Theory. This holds that, about 13.7 billion years ago, an infinitessimally small point exploded to produce the entire universe. Once again, stars may grow old and cold, and new stars form out of the abundant interstellar matter, but the difficulty of infinite existence does not apply. There are at least two, somewhat compatible, hypotheses as to what formed the infinitessimally small point and triggered the Big Bang.

Some scientists believe that the process that triggered the Big Bang could have occurred more than once. If so, there could be many universes, in what has been termed a multiverse. However, we will probably never become physically aware of any of the other universes.

Answer 2

In the past, theories such as the Big Bang theory, steady-state theory, and oscillating universe theory have been accepted concepts about the creation of the universe. The Big Bang theory, proposing that the universe originated from a single point expanding outward, is the most widely accepted explanation among scientists today.