Everybody knows, United States of America is BIG! It occupies 9,147,593 square miles, and is the 4th largest landmass in this world. So, our planet is much BIGGER. But do you know how BIG our Universe is?
Earth, the third planet from the sun, is the fifth largest planet in the solar system; only the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are bigger. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets of the inner solar system, bigger than Mercury, Venus and Mars.
Earth's density is 5.513 grams per cubic centimeter, according to NASA. Earth is the densest planet in the solar system because of its metallic core and rocky mantle. Jupiter, which is 318 more massive than Earth, is less dense because it is made of gases, such as hydrogen.Earth's mass is 6.6 sextillion tons (5.9722 x 1024 kilograms). It's volume is about 260 billion cubic miles (1 trillion cubic kilometers).The total surface area of Earth is about 197 million square miles (510 million square km).
About 71 percent is covered by water and 29 percent by land. And, our Universe is so vast that we haven't yet quantified everything about it, yet.
Scientists measure the size of the universe in a myriad of different ways. They can measure the waves from the early universe, known as baryonic acoustic oscillations, that fill the cosmic microwave background. They can also use standard candles, such as type 1A supernovae, to measure distances. However, these different methods of measuring distances can provide answers.
How inflation is changing is also a mystery. While the estimate of 92 billion light-years comes from the idea of a constant rate of inflation, many scientists think that the rate is slowing down. If the universe expanded at the speed of light during inflation, it should be 10^23, or 100 sextillion.
Instead of taking one measurement method, a team of scientists led by Mihran Vardanyan at the University of Oxford did a statistical analysis of all of the results. By using Bayesian model averaging, which focuses on how likely a model is to be correct given the data, rather than asking how well the model itself fits the data. They found that the universe is at least 250 times larger than the observable universe, or at least 7 trillion light-years across.
"That's big, but actually more tightly constrained that many other models," according to MIT Technology Review, which first reported the 2011 story.
Now think about our LORD, the Creator of Heavens and Earth is MIGHTY and unquantifiable! Why should I be swayed by my troubles or fears of the unknown, all these things are transient and temporary. I will anchor my soul to the ONE who is eternal and everlasting!
PRAYER: Victorious LORD, eternal Abba, I look forward to the day of your ultimate triumph in our world. Until that day, I pray that your Kingdom may be reflected in my ministry, my family and my life. Through Your mighty Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. AMEN. THOUGHTS: Beyond what these words were first meant to convey, we know today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white horse, triumphant and victorious. Hallelujah, what a day it will be! Then the world truly WILL KNOW that Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the Lord of all things!
STORY: As we drove through northern Michigan, Marlene exclaimed, “It’s unbelievable how big the world is!” She made her comment as we passed a sign marking the 45th parallel—the point halfway between the equator and the North Pole. We talked about how small we are and how vast our world is. Yet, compared to the size of the universe, our tiny planet is only a speck of dust.
If our world is great, and the universe is vastly greater, how big is the One who powerfully created it? The Bible tells us, “For by [Jesus] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16 nasb).
This is good news because this same Jesus who created the universe is the One who has come to rescue us from our sin for every day and forever. The night before He died, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 nasb).
When facing the large and small challenges of life, we call on the One who made the universe, died and rose again, and won victory over this world’s brokenness. In our times of struggle, He powerfully offers us His peace.
Lord, I’m grateful that You are greater than my mind could ever comprehend. Help me to trust You today.
God’s grace is immeasurable, His mercy inexhaustible, His peace inexpressible.
GOD BLESS YOU.