Are You Awful Or Are You Awesome?
This is a thumbnail of Earth, compared in size to smaller planets. Click it, and the ones that follow, to see photos that will show each in larger format, then back-click to return. I do not wish to be planet-centric, but I think we have the prettiest planet of all. (Laugh, if you wish, but you must admit it is true.)
Compared with the larger planets in our solar system, Earth is very, very small.
Now we see the comparative size of the bright star we call the Sun!
Our placement has been compared to Goldilocks and the porridge. Any closer to the sun and we would be too hot, any further away and we would be too cold. As it is, we’re just right. Most of the time.
As big as the sun is, it is tiny compared to the giant star, Arcturus–and Earth is less than a speck.
Super telescopes, including the Hubble telescope are responsible for letting us know about many of these gargantuans in the Universe.
Here is Antares, a red giant star that makes Arcturus look teeny-tiny. Our sun is miniscule compared to it, and the size of Earth in comparison is infinitesimal.
I also want you to see a video that shows all of it in a visually fascinating way–and with music! The video loops and plays again, so you can stop it after the image that shows the dot of our sun in relation to the largest known star, VY Canis Majoris. (The Big Dog!) But, that last image alone is enough to put it all in perspective! Click here to watch the video –maybe twice–and come back when you are done.
Another approximate way to visualize it: If someone held a 4′ diameter beach ball and you walked a block away and held up a marble, those would be the sun and Earth. To visualize VY Canis Majoris–if it were close enough to see–picture a solid wall of gaseous material over an iron core, high in the sky, like a ceiling that has no beginning or end. On the marble in your hand put 6.5 billion microscopic dots. One of them is you–the one you sometimes think this is all about.
What I am leading to with this amateur version of a lesson in Astronomy:
1. I almost never use the word awesome because it is so overused in some circles it has become devalued. If everything that is simply good or even impressive becomes awesome there is nothing left to describe what is truly worthy of awe–so I like to reserve the word for when it fits. It fits the universe in which we reside. It is awesome.
2. If we compare the relative sizes and placement of planets, stars and life forms, you and I are nothing. However, in the world in which we live we are of vital significance to many. It may be that to someone you are everything.
VY Canis Majoris has no power to show love or make life better for anyone–you do. It will not be remembered as having made one day, or one hour, or one moment special in anyone’s life–you can do that. You can also do the reverse. In your world, both in your work and with your family and friends, you can be awful or you can be awesome.
I frequently have my own version of vespers by standing outside for a few moments before bedtime to appreciate the beauty and vastness of the very small part of the universe I can see. I was already impressed, but I will see it differently now. The next time you are outside at night, take a moment to get a mental picture of you, on the surface of a tiny marble rotating in an awesome universe. Wave, just in case ET is watching. Then, commit to making VY Canis Majoris look like a dinky little nothing compared to what you will accomplish in the minds, hearts and lives of others.
When I have a notification that you have posted something new, I immediately look at it,and this tremendous post is one reason why. This is exceptionally interesting and insightful, Tina.
May I also say that our Creator is Awesome and it is reflected in His works, which are revealed to us more every day as our minds are able to comprehend them. One day we will know the answers to all the mysteries!
Blessings to you in your vespers, which is a wonderful idea.
Don
Comment by Don Roberson | March 28, 2008
Thank you, Don! I need vespers tonight, because it took the patience of a saint to get these graphics in the post to stay put and look approximately correct! Reading your comment made it all worthwhile. Thank you again. Tina
Comment by Tina | March 28, 2008
I don’t have the link handy, but I can tell you would enjoy any of the NASA websites. If you ever get a chance, visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston. My family and I enjoy visiting any planetarium in any major city, because they nearly always have great animated displays similar to the video link in this post.
I also enjoyed this for the thoughts about our importance in someone’s world. I wondered if you were going to make the point that we are not very important after all, but I should have known better! BTW, I like the variety on this site.
Comment by lmv | March 31, 2008
Great thought! I have been thinking about “my world” for some time now and this helps me put it all in perspective. Great post AGAIN!
Comment by Judith Thomas | March 31, 2008
Hello Tina! Space.com has a load of photos and videos you would like. All of your information is very good, as usual. In the billions of planets in the universe it is inevitable that some others have civilizations equal to or much more advanced than ours. That is my main regret about living now. I think in a couple of hundred years we will make contact with those planets, like on Star Trek!
Live long and Prosper! 🙂
Comment by Pisces1 | March 31, 2008