The Universe is a big place. I mean, really big. Big enough for anything. Literally, big enough for everything. Everything you see, everywhere you go, it's all inside. And there's room for all of it, with space to spare. I get used to it sometimes, and then, suddenly, I'm thrown into a state where I'm forced to remember just how much of the Universe there is. Let me show you something:
[Click to galactinate, and while it may take a little while to download the entire 3500 x 2000 pixel image, it will definitely be worth your time.] This is the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 1345 as seen by Hubble. Lovely, isn't it? You wouldn't even think it's a spiral at first; the arms are so faint compared to the sprawling core and inner regions. But it so happens the galaxy is close to our own, making fainter parts easier ...
