NASA's The Incredible Two-Inch Universe Activity (Audio & ASL) NASA/Chandra X-ray Center
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A NASA-Smithsonian Universe Forum Publication :: This activity will help you explore the universe by shrinking cosmic scale in just 4 steps. Print out the instructions and cut-out templates (printer-friendly PDFs at http://chandra.harvard.edu/resources/podcasts/2inch/). Follow along with the activity by listening to the narration or viewing the American Sign Language in the video podcast files.
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Going Further
You can use this 4-STEP SCALE MODEL to imagine some of the distances involved in NASA's explorations of the universe.
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Introduction
This activity will help you explore the universe by shrinking cosmic scale in just 4 steps. Print out the instructions and cut-out templates. Follow along with the activity by listening to the narration or viewing the American Sign Language in the video podcast files.
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Reflection Questions
How likely do you think it is that there is life elsewhere in our galaxy? Intelligent life? What challenges are there in trying to communicate with any potential life around other stars? In other galaxies? Some people say they feel insignificant after understanding the scale of the universe; others say it makes them feel that life on Earth is special; still others feel amazement at the power of the human mind. What's your view?
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Step 1: The Realm of the Earth and Moon
If you shrink the earth to about 2 inches or 5 centimeters (cm) in diameter here's how other objects would compare in size and distance.
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Step 2: The Realm of Our Sun the Only Star in Our Solar System
Switch scales by shrinking the minivan-sized Sun down to a 2-inch diameter.
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Step 3: The Realm of Our Solar System and Nearby Stars
Shrink the entire Solar System down to 2 inches in diameter.