NASA's The Incredible Two-Inch Universe Activity (Audio & ASL)
8 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 16 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA 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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Episodes
Going Further
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 5 minutes - 26.7 MBYou can use this 4-STEP SCALE MODEL to imagine some of the distances involved in NASA's explorations of the universe.
Introduction
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 28 seconds - 2.21 MBThis 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.
Reflection Questions
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 1 minute - 8.57 MBHow 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?
Step 1: The Realm of the Earth and Moon
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 5 minutes - 25.3 MBIf 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.
Step 2: The Realm of Our Sun the Only Star in Our Solar System
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 3 minutes - 17.2 MBSwitch scales by shrinking the minivan-sized Sun down to a 2-inch diameter.
Step 3: The Realm of Our Solar System and Nearby Stars
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 6 minutes - 28.1 MBShrink the entire Solar System down to 2 inches in diameter.
Step 4: The Realm of Galaxies
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 6 minutes - 29.6 MBSwitch scales one last time, and shrink the entire continent-sized galaxy down to 2 inches.
What You'll Need
April 28, 2008 17:00 - 2 minutes - 13.6 MBWrap your mind around the vast distances in the universe. What you'll need: a measuring tape, 6 round images from the printable 2-inch universe PDF, a grain of salt and a wide open mind.