“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them in their cores and exploded these enriched ingredients across our galaxy, billions of years ago. For this reason, we are biologically connected to every other living thing in the world. We are chemically connected to all molecules on Earth. And we are atomically connected to all atoms in the universe. We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
We live on a tiny spec in our solar system. If Earth is a tiny spec then what are you?
Always somewhere on our planet there is disruption and chaos happening. Whether it be a war, pandemic, fires, floods, crime etc. we humans are constantly battling something. And, on personal levels there is depression, problems, money, suicides, arguments and the list goes on. All this is happening on our tiny little planet that is in a solar system within a galaxy of hundreds of billions.
With trillions of stars and planets it truly is impossible that we humans are it! Stop and think about that for a minute.
The video below puts a lot into perspective at how tiny planet Earth is. The video was made in 2009 and states that VY Canis Majoris is the largest star known to man, however that title now goes to Stephenson 2-18.
How significant do your problems seem now? Here's another video that might bring things into perspective.
My point in publishing this post is that many of us are so busy dealing with every day life and its problems that we waste our energy on negative emotions that make us unhappy. When you think that you are made of stardust, and stars are magnificent then so you must be too!
Personally, finding an interest in Astronomy has put a lot of things into perspective for me. I watch videos like these in this post and when the skies are clear find it fascinating to look out and wonder what is out there. It gives me an incredible feeling of peace.
This quote from the Late Carl Sagan (Astronomer) sums it up perfectly:
There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
Footnote: This is entirely my own thinking; what if every human being that died turned into a star? The greater the love and kindness the bigger the star? And what if that star had planets around it with beings that also died and formed stars and galaxies? Just a thought.
Comments