just how big is big? to do this, we need to make a model. start with the solar system. we’ll let...
TRANSCRIPT
Just how big is big?
To do this, we need to make a model.
Start with the Solar System.
We’ll let one inch equal 1,000,000 miles.
Using this scale, our Sun would be about .9” in diameter.
Source – Solar Dynamic Observatory
The nearest planet, Mercury, is 36,000,000 miles away from the
Sun.
Source – MESSENGER Mission Website
On our scale, Mercury would be 36” (3 feet) from the Sun.
The next planet, Venus, is 67,000,000 miles away from the
Sun.
Source – JPL Photo Journal Website
On our scale, Venus is 67 inches (5’ 7”) from the Sun.
The next planet is Earth. It is 93,000,000 miles from the Sun.
Source – MESSENGER Mission Website
On our scale, the Earth is 93 inches (7’ 9”) away from the
Sun.
Mars is next on our journey. It is 141,000,000 miles from the Sun.
Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website
On our scale, Mars is 141
inches (11’ 9”) away from the
Sun.
How long would it take to call Mars?
The asteroids average about 293,000,000 miles from the Sun.
Source – Astronomy Picture of the Day, April 13, 1998
On our scale, the asteroids would be (24’ 5”) from the Sun.
Jupiter is the first of the outer gas giants. It is 484,000,000 miles
from the Sun.
Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website
On our scale, Jupiter would be 484 inches
(40’ 4” – 13 yards) away from the Sun.
Saturn follows Jupiter. It is 886,000,000 miles from the Sun.
Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website
On our scale, Saturn is 886 inches (73’ 10” – 24 yards) from
the Sun.
Uranus is next at 1,800,000,000 miles away from the Sun.
Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website
On our scale, Uranus is 1,800 inches (150’ – 50 yards) from the
Sun.
Neptune is last planet. It is 2,800,000,000 miles away from
the Sun.
Source – JPL Photojournal Website
It is 2,800 inches (233’ 4” –
78 yards) away from the Sun.
The dwarf planet Pluto is 4,600,000,000 miles away from
the Sun.
Source – JPL Photojournal Website
On this scale, Pluto is 4,600 inches (383’ 4” – 137 yards) from
the Sun.
The farthest dwarf planet, Eris, can be as far as 12,700,000,000
miles from the Sun.
Source – Astronomy Picture of the Day, June 19, 2007
On our scale, Eris would be 12,700”
(1,058’ – 352 yards - .2 of a mile) from the
Sun.
The nearest star to the Earth, Alpha Centauri is 4.3 light years (26,000,000,000,000 miles) from
the Sun.
Source – EarthSky Website
On our scale, Alpha Centauri
would be 26,000,000 inches (410 miles) away
from the Sun.
410 miles from Brigham City would
be near the Four Corners area.
Source – Geology.com
We now need a new scale. Let the Solar System be the size of an
Oreo cookie.
Source – Portrait of the Universe
On the Oreo scale, the Milky Way Galaxy would be the size of North
America.
Source – Portrait of the Universe
The black hole at the center of the Milky Way would be in the
middle of Kansas.
Source – Portrait of the Universe
Virtual Voyage Through the Milky Way.
Catching a Glimpse of the Milky Way.
What is Between the Stars?
On the Oreo scale, the Andromeda Galaxy (2,200,000
light years away) would be 55,000 miles away from the Milky
Way.
Source – Universe Today Website
That is 20% of the way to the
Moon.
On the Oreo scale, the universe would be about would equal
about 510,000,000,000,000 miles (510 trillion miles or a diameter
of about 84 light years!).
Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website
What Happens When Galaxies Collide?
Where is the Center of the Universe?
Interstellar Trip Planner
Andromeda/Milky Way Collision
So, to answer our original question, space is huge!
Here are things in the universe from small to large!
Earth
Sun
Solar System
Milky Way (a galaxy)
A Cluster of Galaxies
Universe (everything!)
The presentation ends here.