Universe Essay
Nicole Oshan
3/10/2011
ENG 493
Infinite Cosmos and the Wonderful Amazement
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all physical matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. To ponder over the vastness that we on Earth are suspended in is, quite frankly, amazing. To be able to inspire this awe and amazement in people through writing is an even greater feat. Carl Sagan, the author of “Pale Blue Dot,” uses scale to draw relevance to the perspective that we are insignificant and tiny in comparison to the Universe that surrounds us. His writing style is reflective, presenting the information in a way that inspires a sense of wonderment in his readers. This sense of wonderment can also be seen in many of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s works, who accredits Carl Sagan as a main influential factor in his scientific endeavors. Tyson also employs scale in his writings, but focuses more on the insignificance of people and their actions in the Universe. Both of these men apply the use of scale to change the perspective of our place in the Universe while also instilling a sense of awe and wonderment.
Sagan 's ability to convey his ideas has allowed many people to better understand the cosmos —simultaneously emphasizing the value and worthiness of the human race, and the relative insignificance of the Earth in comparison to the universe. His insight into the photograph entitled “Pale Blue Dot,” where earth is seen as a speck in the vast emptiness of the Universe, gives rise to a sense of amazement, especially when considering the scale in which this picture puts into perspective. “From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it 's different. Look again at that dot. That 's here, that 's home, that 's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out his or her lives. The
3/10/2011
ENG 493
Infinite Cosmos and the Wonderful Amazement
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all physical matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. To ponder over the vastness that we on Earth are suspended in is, quite frankly, amazing. To be able to inspire this awe and amazement in people through writing is an even greater feat. Carl Sagan, the author of “Pale Blue Dot,” uses scale to draw relevance to the perspective that we are insignificant and tiny in comparison to the Universe that surrounds us. His writing style is reflective, presenting the information in a way that inspires a sense of wonderment in his readers. This sense of wonderment can also be seen in many of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s works, who accredits Carl Sagan as a main influential factor in his scientific endeavors. Tyson also employs scale in his writings, but focuses more on the insignificance of people and their actions in the Universe. Both of these men apply the use of scale to change the perspective of our place in the Universe while also instilling a sense of awe and wonderment.
Sagan 's ability to convey his ideas has allowed many people to better understand the cosmos —simultaneously emphasizing the value and worthiness of the human race, and the relative insignificance of the Earth in comparison to the universe. His insight into the photograph entitled “Pale Blue Dot,” where earth is seen as a speck in the vast emptiness of the Universe, gives rise to a sense of amazement, especially when considering the scale in which this picture puts into perspective. “From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it 's different. Look again at that dot. That 's here, that 's home, that 's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out his or her lives. The
Cited: deGrasse Tyson, Neil. "The Cosmic Perspective." Natural History Magazine April 2007: n. pag. Web. 9 Mar 2011. <http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/read/2007/04/02/the-cosmic-perspective>. Sagan, Carl. Pale Blue Dot. 1st ed. New York: Random House, 1994. 3-9. Print.