The Physics Nobel Prize for the year 2006 has been awarded for precision measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) performed using COsmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite launched in 1989. Please refer to NASA link to COBE experiment for details. These results were first announced in 1992. Its chief findings were (1) an accurate determination of the temperature of the relic radiation and (2) confirmation of expected inhomogeneities in this radiation, to the tune of ten parts per million. Here we trace some of the history and the significance of the results to our understanding of the Universe, in turn some secrets of our existence.
While we celebrate this Nobel Prize the sequel experiments have moved far ahead. As of 2003 the WMAP experiment has not only confirmed COBE but gone far beyond it. This is discussed in the concluding section.