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The Universe at a Glance

This artwork was created by Tom Rockwell under a commission of the Metanexus Institute.  The goal was to represent the universe at all scales throughout time.  In this presentation, we have separated out the layers of the original Photoshop document to present a more-or-less sequential chronology of the history of the universe.

  • <p>In the beginning there was no "Big Bang," but rather a quantum fluctuation on the Plank Scale. In this Singularity, all of the matter-energy that has ever existed came into being out of nothingness. Space-time also come into existence. In the beginning, the universe was very small, very dense, and very hot. In some strange sense, it seems that some of the laws of physics may have existed "before" the Singularity.</p>
  • <p>COBE Background Radiation, early galaxies, pulsars.</p>
  • The Milky Way Galaxy
  • Heavier elements created inside of stars leads to complex chemistry. Here, images of H2O and Carbon
  • Our sun is a second or third generation star created from the rich remains of a supernova.
  • Our Earth is a special planet, not too hot and not too cold, filled with a rich brew of complex chemicals and a dynamic geology.
  • The Earth's active geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere create a rich context for the emerging biosphere.
  • One pathway of complexification that may have led to simple life are crystals.
  • Long polymer chains grow into proteins.
  • Single cell life grows and complexifies.
  • Life evolves into humans. Humans domesticate plants and animals to create agriculture.
  • Agriculture gives rise to human cultures, including written languages and a new form of collective learning.
  • Agriculture allows for growing human population and the rise of cities and a now global civilization.
  • A three dimensional map of the Internet suggests a new form of emergent complexity.
  • One of several thousand satellites now orbiting the Earth is further evidence of something dramatically new emerging through evolution.