Space

If our galaxy were the size of Earth, then Earth itself would be just a few millimeters across. But the distance between our solar system and the closest star, Alpha Centauri, would stretch a few meters! And between them? Nothing but emptiness. Space.

Space is a hard concept to truly imagine while we live our everyday lives. Despite the breathtaking images from Hubble, JWST, and other telescopes, it’s still a challenge for our minds to grasp. Why is that? Because as a species, and on an individual level, we’ve never experienced a truly empty expanse. Even in the most isolated corners of the Earth, life is all around; be it tiny insects, rustling leaves, or a stray bird flying by. Most of us, anyway, are surrounded by urban noise and the energy of bustling streets. We know what it feels like to be lonely despite being among people, but we struggle to imagine being alone because there’s simply nothing else there. Even when astronauts go on spacewalks outside the ISS, they have the comforting view of Earth and the station nearby.

This makes space more than just a physical reality; it becomes a theoretical construct in our minds. We can think about it, admire it, but we can hardly fathom it. It’s that emptiness (vast, silent, and indifferent) that captures our imagination, and at the same time, evades our full understanding.

It’s interesting how the concept of space can spark philosophical musings. It forces us to think about isolation, connection, and our place in the universe. Imagine the vast, empty distances between stars, and compare that to the gaps we feel in our relationships, or even within ourselves. Are these gaps truly empty, or do they hold the potential for something more… for connection, for discovery?

Original Post https://akhan.me/space/