It’s hard to understand just how big (or small) something truly is, especially when it appears in an unfamiliar context. Kevin Wisbith has put some exceptionally “large” things into perspective by placing them into situations where we have a better grip on scale. So for those of us who cannot conceptualize the true width of a B-2 Bomber or the world’s largest oil tanker, Wisbith’s comparisons will provide clarity and even surprise you.
The series of 10 images is called A Quick Perspective, and it’s a digital compilation featuring architecture, nature, science fiction, and design. Wisbith has done the math and seamlessly combined two disparate subjects for a head-scratching effect. Even if you have a vague idea of something’s size, seeing it in another context will change your perception of it. The Death Star, for instance, might seem massive on film, but it’s only a quarter the length of Florida. On that scale, it’s much less menacing!
Check out A Quick Perspective, with Wisbith’s original captions, below.
Above: The 2.6 Trillion Dollar Rock
The Dionysus asteroid is part of the Apollo asteroid belt. The Dionysus asteroid is estimated to be 1.5 km wide or 4921.26 feet. The value of the resources estimated to be within the asteroid is around $2,600,000,000,000. If the asteroid was placed above the Golden Gate Bridge, it wouldn't even surpass the bridge span.
The Death Star
Although the Death Star doesn't exist in reality, it's truly the biggest and most bad-ass machine ever conceived. The Death Star's estimated width is around 99 miles across, or around 1/4th the length of Florida.
The Mir Mine
The Mir Mine located in Russia is one of the deepest mines in the world. The official depth is 1,722 feet deep. If the 2nd tallest building in the United States, the Willis or Sears Tower which is 1,729 feet tall was placed in the mine, the tip would only stick out 7 feet past ground level.
B-2 Bomber
The B-2 Bomber is one of the worlds most advanced and most expensive airplanes in the world. What most people don't realize is how big these things really are. The wingspan of a B-2 is 172 feet which is 12 feet wider than an NFL football field.
Worlds Largest Oil Tanker
The largest oil tanker ever produced was the Seawise Giant which spanned 1,504 feet. If placed in the main lake in New York's Central Park it would only have 350 feet of extra room on the front and back.
The Titanic
When it was built the Titanic was one of the largest ships built. It's total length was 882 feet and 9 inches long. Since then ship building has come a long way. The United States aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan is 1,092 feet long. If the Titanic was placed on the deck of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan the ship would have 210 feet of deck room left.
The M-1 Rocket Motor
The M-1 Rocket motor was designed back in the 1950s for the NASA space program and would have been the biggest motor ever built had it been constructed. It's designed diameter was 14 feet, or wide enough to fully cover a Smart Car with 2 feet to spare on either side.
The Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis or (Breathing Scorpion)
Prehistoric bugs were larger than average day bugs due to the higher oxygen levels. The Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis was a species of scorpion that grew to 24 inches long, or the size of a normal house cat. Personally, I'm glad I these things don't exist anymore. I'd never go outside ever again if they did.
Largest Radio Telescope in the World
As we continue the hunt for extraterrestrial life, we continue to build bigger and bigger telescopes. The biggest radio telescope to date is the Chinese Guizhou province telescope that is 1,600 feet in diameter. If placed in downtown Las Vegas it would cover half of The Mirage, all of the LINQ, all of Harrahs, and most of Venetian.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest standing structure in the world. It measures in at 2,722 feet tall. If placed in New York it would stretch almost 1,000 feet past the One World Trade center and almost 1,300 feet taller than the Empire State Building.
Kevin Wisbith: YouTube
via [Colossal, Imgur]
All images and captions via Kevin Wisbith.
