From an atom to the observable universe

At one true scale, a hydrogen atom next to the Earth is far smaller than a pixel. Sizewise solves this with a second kind of drawing.

Open the template

Choose File → Templates… and pick From an atom to the observable universe. It holds 14 steps: a hydrogen atom, the influenza virus, a red blood cell, a tardigrade, a golf ball, Robert Wadlow (the tallest man on record), the blue whale, the Burj Khalifa, Mount Everest, the Earth, the Sun, the giant star VY Canis Majoris, the Milky Way and the observable universe.

Neighbours in pairs

Under In the lineup, the Drawing menu is set to Neighbours in pairs. Each panel shows two neighbouring objects at their own scale, with the number of times the right one is larger than the left one. Read the panels from left to right like a staircase: every step multiplies the size.

Switch Drawing to All at one true scale to see the problem pairs solve: only the largest object is visible, and the slider has to travel across many powers of ten to reveal the others.

What the sizes mean

Each object has exactly one size from Wikidata, shown in the Measure column:

• atoms use twice the atomic radius (Wikidata gives the radius);
• planets, moons and stars use the diameter, or twice the stated radius;
• galaxies use their diameter, often given in light years or parsecs;
• mountains use their summit elevation above sea level.

Sizes of galaxies and of the observable universe depend on where you draw the edge; Sizewise shows the value Wikidata records and links to it, so you can read the references.

Add your own step

Add Me = 1.8 m under Your own object and Size. With Order set to Smallest to largest, you land between the golf ball and Robert Wadlow, and the panels around you change their factors.

Next steps

• How many fit turns two sizes into a count.
• The same comparison is available as the API and MCP tool sizewise-scale-compare.