University of California, San Diego
Physics 7 - Introduction to Astronomy

H. E. Smith   Winter 2007

Physics 7

The Scale of the Universe

From the size of the atomic nucleus, important for the fusion energy of the stars, at 10-13cm, to the scale of the Universe as a whole ~ 1027cm, the distance scales of interest in Astronomy span a factor of about 1040 -- 40 orders of magnitude!


  • Powers of ten a visual depiction of the scale of the Universe starting at 10 million l.y. from the Milky Way and zooming into the heart of the atom.

    Through the Universe at the Speed of Light  Physics 7 Lectures  Physics 7 Home  


    Conducted by Gene Smith, CASS/UCSD.
    Comments? You may send email to hsmith@ucsd.edu

    Prof. H. E. (Gene) Smith
    CASS   0424   UCSD
    9500 Gilman Drive
    La Jolla, CA    92093-0424



    Last updated: 16 April 1999