Scale of the Universe

Burj Khalifa- 2723 ft

In our everyday world we are exposed to the noteworthy extremes of scale.  News stories of the newest worlds tallest building, and the worlds smallest frog catch our attention.  The tower is 109,000 times longer than the frog, but this difference in scale pales in comparison to the scale of the Universe as we know it.

Microfrog- Christopher Austin- LSU

An interactive web sit The Scale of the Universe 2 dramatically demonstrates this.  As you slide the bar at the bottom, you expand and contract your vision.  Anywhere along the way, you can pause and click on an object to find its interesting details.  Try clicking on the sunflower to the left of the human figure as you move to the right.

Moving to the right makes you realize how small we are in the Universe as a whole.  On the other hand, if you think you have put on too much weight, you may find it comforting.