To do this, we need to make a model. Just how big is big? To do this, we need to make a model. Start with the Solar System. We’ll let one inch equal 1,000,000 miles.

Using this scale, our Sun would be about .9” in diameter. 3 Source – Solar Dynamic Observatory

The nearest planet, Mercury, is 36,000,000 miles away from the Sun. On our scale, Mercury would be 36” (3 feet) from the Sun. Source – MESSENGER Mission Website

The next planet, Venus, is 67,000,000 miles away from the Sun. On our scale, Venus is 67 inches (5’ 7”) from the Sun. Source – JPL Photo Journal Website

The next planet is Earth. It is 93,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, the Earth is 93 inches (7’ 9”) away from the Sun. Source – MESSENGER Mission Website

Mars is next on our journey. It is 141,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, Mars is 141 inches (11’ 9”) away from the Sun. Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website How long would it take to call Mars?

The asteroids average about 293,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, the asteroids would be (24’ 5”) from the Sun. Source – Astronomy Picture of the Day, April 13, 1998

On our scale, Jupiter would be 484 inches Jupiter is the first of the outer gas giants. It is 484,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, Jupiter would be 484 inches (40’ 4” – 13 yards) away from the Sun. Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website

Saturn follows Jupiter. It is 886,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, Saturn is 886 inches (73’ 10” – 24 yards) from the Sun. Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website

Uranus is next at 1,800,000,000 miles away from the Sun. On our scale, Uranus is 1,800 inches (150’ – 50 yards) from the Sun. Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website

Neptune is last planet. It is 2,800,000,000 miles away from the Sun. It is 2,800 inches (233’ 4” – 78 yards) away from the Sun. Source – JPL Photojournal Website

The dwarf planet Pluto is 4,600,000,000 miles away from the Sun. On this scale, Pluto is 4,600 inches (383’ 4” – 137 yards) from the Sun. Source – JPL Photojournal Website

The farthest dwarf planet, Eris, can be as far as 12,700,000,000 miles from the Sun. On our scale, Eris would be 12,700” (1,058’ – 352 yards - .2 of a mile) from the Sun. Source – Astronomy Picture of the Day, June 19, 2007

The nearest star to the Earth, Alpha Centauri is 4 The nearest star to the Earth, Alpha Centauri is 4.3 light years (26,000,000,000,000 miles) from the Sun. On our scale, Alpha Centauri would be 26,000,000 inches (410 miles) away from the Sun. Source – EarthSky Website

410 miles from Brigham City would be near the Four Corners area. Source – Geology.com

We now need a new scale. Let the Solar System be the size of an Oreo cookie. Source – Portrait of the Universe

On the Oreo scale, the Milky Way Galaxy would be the size of North America. Source – Portrait of the Universe

The black hole at the center of the Milky Way would be in the middle of Kansas. Source – Portrait of the Universe

Virtual Voyage Through the Milky Way. Catching a Glimpse of the Milky Way. What is Between the Stars?

That is 20% of the way to the Moon. On the Oreo scale, the Andromeda Galaxy (2,200,000 light years away) would be 55,000 miles away from the Milky Way. That is 20% of the way to the Moon. Source – Universe Today Website

On the Oreo scale, the universe would be about would equal about 510,000,000,000,000 miles (510 trillion miles or a diameter of about 84 light years!). Source – Hubble Space Telescope Website

Where is the Center of the Universe? What Happens When Galaxies Collide? Andromeda/Milky Way Collision Interstellar Trip Planner

So, to answer our original question, space is huge! Here are things in the universe from small to large!

Earth Sun

Solar System

Milky Way (a galaxy)

A Cluster of Galaxies

Universe (everything!)

The presentation ends here.