The first cosmic microwave background radiation was detected unexpectedly. In one to two sentences, explain how the scientists who detected the radiation recognized the strength of their discovery.

The scientists who detected the cosmic microwave background radiation recognized the strength of their discovery by realizing that the radiation was consistent with the predictions of the Big Bang theory and provided strong evidence for the early stages of the universe.

The scientists who detected the first cosmic microwave background radiation recognized the strength of their discovery by comparing their measurements to theoretical predictions and observing a uniform, isotropic distribution of the radiation, which confirmed the Big Bang theory and provided strong evidence for the origin of the universe.

The scientists who detected the cosmic microwave background radiation recognized the strength of their discovery by comparing their measurements with the predicted radiation spectrum of a hot, dense early universe and identifying a close match, providing strong evidence for the Big Bang theory.