1. This is the earth compared to our sun.
2. This is our sun compared to VY Canis Majoris, the largest known star.
3. This is VY Canis Majoris compared to the Milky Way.
4. This is the Milky Way compared to the largest known galaxy.
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field shows over 10,000 galaxies in only 0.000024% of the sky. The glowing spots in this image are not stars, but galaxies.
This is why it both baffles and appalls me that humans continue to sit here drowning in our self-importance and busying ourselves with wars, politics, and economics on our tiny “mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam”, to quote Sagan. We have an entire universe to explore and learn about, and we’re not the center of it. Don’t you care?
I agree with the final sentiment, but I would add that I think it is ridiculous to suggest we shouldn’t busy ourselves with politics and economics - because that is how exploring shit gets to happen.
(Source: solarprominence)
