how does the earth fit into the universe?

Answer 1

It is a very small but, to us, very important part of the universe.

The Earth is so small compared to the universe that nobody can really comprehend it. Here is my attempt to make you understand the vastness of outer space:

Make a scale model of the solar system by using a 10 inch basketball as the Sun and a 1/10 inch pinhead as the Earth. That model Earth would be 89 feet from the Sun and the Moon would be a smaller pinhead only 3 inches from the Earth. Pluto, in that same scale model solar system, would be 2/3 of a mile away! Given that it cost $25 billion dollars and 8 years of effort for us to cross that 3 inches to the Moon, how could we even think of going to Pluto?

Now we take a big step back. Get a long roll of adding machine paper and draw two little dots 1/3 of an inch apart. These two dots represent the Sun and Pluto. Not Earth, Pluto. The Earth would be a dot so close to the Sun that it would overlap, no matter how sharp your pencil is and how small you make the dot. Now the closest star is 120 feet away! How could we even contemplate going to that star if we can't get to Pluto?

Now back up again. On another adding machine roll, draw two dots only 1/25 of an inch apart. Those are the Sun and the nearest star (Alpha Centauri). Then the Milky Way galaxy is 70 feet wide, the Sun is 20 feet from the center, and the strip of adding machine paper is a narrow swath through the middle of the galaxy, with dots every 1/25 inch or so, millions of dots, each one a star much like our Sun. How could we even contemplate traveling the galaxy, when we can't even get to the nearest star, or Pluto? And even the Star Trek and Star Wars movies do not consider travel to other galaxies. That is just too much, even for science fiction!

So the universe is REALLY big!

Answer 2

It appears to be made fo the same types of basic materials (atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons...); the laws of physics appear to be the same (gravity, force, mass, energy) even though the conditions are far more tempered (no black holes, no natural sources of hard gamma rays); this allows it to be infested with life, as can be attested by the presence of oxygen in its atmosphere.

We do not know enough about the rest of the universe to know if it is "average" when compared to the universe. For example, most planets that we have found so far as big like Jupiter and orbit very close to their star (that is because our instruments are better at finding those planets, not because there are more of them).

For a while, we also thought that most stars were multiple stars, making our Sun less average. However, we are not so sure any more (meaning: our Sun COULD be an average star).

Answer 3

well

compared to the estimated size of the universe, 150 billion light years, the Earth is 1.1E23 times smaller.

if the Universe had the size of the Earth, then the Earth would have to be 10'000 times smaller than a proton. Or 30'000 times smaller than a Helium nucleus.

seems to me that this leaves ample room to fit in ;-)


now did you mean, does the Earth have a purpose? My take is that the Universe contains the same type of stuff all over, giving rise to the same type of stars, or atoms, of molecules, so that accidents like the Earth must have happened many times.

Answer 4

Nyx and nil are maximum surprising. the different section you would be perplexed approximately is thinking of the topology because of the fact the universe expands. in case you have been in a super-rocket deliver that would desire to holiday to the edge of the universe to show screen the growth in genuine time (enable's forget approximately in regards to the technological information for now), you could see different growth around the great floor. it could appear as if a canyon or stalagmites growing to be. the exterior isn't gentle. that's in part because of the way easy behaves around super bodies. countless the easy could be unhindered, mutually as countless the easy could be held up until now persevering with. As for boundless, that in basic terms ability the flexibility to growth won't bump into any obstructions. It does not propose it is going to attain infinity in an countless time scale.

Answer 5

A tiny green oasis of love and gentleness amid nuclear explosions of solar systems too far away crashing into each other creating galaxies like our own. Someday which we may see the streams of light from these new stars, planets and clouds of glowing gases. The real fit comes in each individuals love of exploring the possibilities of new life and scientific discovery.

Answer 6

A minor planet in a minor stellar system on the outer fringes of a so-so galaxy stuck somewhere in the vast reaches of space.

Answer 7

I'd give Campbelp 2002's answer 100 points if I could!!

Sadly, all I can offer is a Thumbs-Up.


You rock DUDE!!

Answer 8

It's one small planet going around an ordinary star. Our claim to fame, may be that we are one of the few that has intelligent life on it.....That's cool.

Answer 9

It revolves completely around you. Does that fit nicely?

Answer 10

As a grain of dust in the Sahara desert.