This document appears to be notes from a presentation about the size of Ireland and the universe. It includes comparisons of scales within our solar system, as well as larger structures like our galaxy and the observable universe. There are notes about past and upcoming space missions. It also discusses humanity's ongoing efforts to understand the immense size of the universe and references some famous quotes about our limited understanding. The presentation aims to provide perspective on astronomical sizes and seems to promote interest in astronomy through a local astronomy club.
27. The last 100 years
1920’s There are other galaxies
1929 … and they are receding (Hubble)
1940’s Big bang theory
1980’s Dark matter - 10 times ordinary stuff
1994 Amino acid in interstellar cloud
1995 First extra-solar planet detected
1994-2000 “Galileo” mission to Europa
2015 New Horizons at Pluto
2017 Juno at Jupiter (May), Cassini to
plunge into Saturn (15 Sept)
28. The effort to understand the
universe is one of the very few
things that lifts human life a
little above the level of farce
and endows it with some of
the grace of tragedy.
Steven Weinberg
29.
30.
31. Questions ...
Thank you
Cork Astronomy Club
New season starts Mon 11th Sept
lectures, observing, study,
library, outings
own telescope not required
meetings held at UCC, 8 pm
40. It is my task to convince you not
to turn away because you don’t
understand it. You see, my
physics students don’t
understand it either. That’s
because I don’t understand it.
Nobody does.
Richard Feynman c. 1963
61. Only about 4% of the total energy density
in the universe can be seen directly
About 22% is thought to be composed of
dark matter
The remaining 74% is thought to consist
of dark energy
62. It is my task to convince you not
to turn away because you don’t
understand it. You see, my
physics students don’t
understand it either. That’s
because I don’t understand it.
Nobody does.
Richard Feynman c. 1963
