Wonders

August 10, 2012 By 10 Comments

(Via Exploring our Matrix)

The above image makes the point that we can perceive only a tiny piece of it. And yet, what we perceive is actually illusion, since matter is mostly empty space. And the image doesn’t discuss dark matter and energy, which may make up the vast majority of substance in our universe.

It always stuns me to realize just how much our world has changed in the past two centuries or so. There was a time, not too long ago, when every human believed that our solar system was the entire cosmos. Even just a century ago many people believed that the Milky Way galaxy was the only galaxy that existed.

And now, our universe has expanded beyond all recognition. Consider this video, “A Flight Through the Universe,” and recognize that while this is the largest map of the universe yet produced, it is still only a small piece of what what our telescopes can view:

It’s humbling. And at the same time, it’s inspiring. So far, we are the only creatures we’ve encountered who are aware of how small they are. We’ve climbed to the point that we can just start to see how much farther we have to go.

Filed Under: Pictures 10 Comments
  • Fergus Gallagher

    Even if all the atoms in our body are replaced by others, it’s pretty much a statistical certainly that many of the old ones will find their way back in. (Similarly, every glass of water you drink probably contains atoms from Hilter’s last urination.)

  • EldoonFeeb

    However, religious people use the same we-can’t-perceive-everything argument to justify the existence of a deity.

  • vasaroti

    90% of the cells in my body are not “me?” So how come I don’t lose weight when I take an antibiotic?

    I plan on having some fun with that bit about cone cells and rainbows next time I encounter a Noah’s flood fan.

  • Ken

    The whole concept of “God” has become smaller and smaller as we learn more about the reality around us. Whenever I hear a sermon claiming Goddidit, I look at the sky and see just how puny and weak a concept they are promoting. Seriously, God did everything except make his very existence clearly understood? It is to laugh.

  • David Evans

    “I plan on having some fun with that bit about cone cells and rainbows next time I encounter a Noah’s flood fan.”

    It shouldn’t worry him/her. God created the rainbow as a sign for humanity. It doesn’t matter whether other animals can see it. Also, they can see the arc, just not the colors.

    • Reginald Selkirk

      AND – it looks way more impressive to mantis shrimp than it does to us. They can see infrared and UV (and polarization too!)
      Mantis shrimp: the pinnacle of God’s creation.

    • Reginald Selkirk

      Even birds have four sets of cones instead of our measly three.

  • Reginald Selkirk

    The above image makes the point that we can perceive only a tiny piece of it.
    .
    But you have to understand the last two lines, printed in UV and infrared to really get the joke – and it’s ****ing hilarious!

  • trj

    [The atoms in your body] all originated in the belly of a star.

    Wrong. Our bodies are about 7% hydrogen, all of which was created in the Big Bang, not inside stars. Which, of course, is still awesome, but a bit messier than just saying “we are made from stardust”.

    You don’t just look at a rainbow, you create it.

    That is Chopra-style bollocks. It’s like saying a geiger counter creates the radiation it measures.

    Sorry, I just can’t help my adversion to superficial motivational fluff, especially when it messes up the scientific facts.