---
title: "Scale of the Observable Universe (XKCD)"
description: "XKCD is (probably) one of the best science-related websites you'll ever find. The site features a number of amazing comics that deal with physics, astronomy, mathematical concepts, and absolutely insane hypothetical scenarios. The genius behind the site is Randall Munroe, a Physics graduate from Christopher Newport University. Before starting xkcd, Munroe spent some time working as..."
date: "2014-09-18"
modified: "2014-09-18"
authors:
  - name: "Jolene Creighton"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jolene-creighton.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/scale-observable-universe-xkcd"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Scale of the Observable Universe (XKCD)

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1.png>)

XKCD is (probably) one of the best science-related websites you'll ever find. The site features a number of amazing comics that deal with physics, astronomy, mathematical concepts, and absolutely insane hypothetical scenarios. The genius behind the site is Randall Munroe, a Physics graduate from Christopher Newport University. Before starting xkcd, Munroe spent some time working as an independent contracting roboticist for NASA over at the Langley Research Center. Currently, however, his full-time job is revealing the wonders of our universe through his witty and inspiring webcomics.

Below is a logarithmic scale of the [observable universe](<https://futurism.com/from-quark-to-quasar-the-observable-universe-2.md>) from xkcd. Included alongside real structures (like the [Andromeda galaxy](<https://futurism.com/will-milkomeda-have-a-quasar.md>) and the Alpha Centauri system) are a few more...imaginative structures (like Hal from *2001: A Space Odyssey*). This graph gives you a good (and hilarious) idea of just how big our universe, along with the many fantastic structures populate it, really is.

[![xkcd observable universe](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xkcd-observable-universe.png>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xkcd-observable-universe.png>)
*Image credit: [Randall Munroe/xkcd](<http://xkcd.com/482/>)*

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/jolene.creighton>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolenecreighton>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/sciencejolene>)

## More

- [Past Climate Change Doesn’t Make Today’s Activity Any Less Troubling](<https://futurism.com/past-climate-change-doesnt-make-todays-activity-any-less-troubling.md>)
- [Science People that You Should Follow (and can trust)](<https://futurism.com/science-people-that-you-should-follow-and-can-trust.md>)
- [What Lies Beyond the Edge of the Observable Universe?](<https://futurism.com/what-lies-beyond-the-edge-of-the-observable-universe.md>)
- [From Quark to Quasar: Measuring the Observable Universe](<https://futurism.com/from-quark-to-quasar-the-observable-universe-2.md>)
- [See Each Known Galaxy in The Observable Universe in Seconds](<https://futurism.com/see-the-entire-known-universe-in-seconds.md>)
- [Is the Universe Unnatural?](<https://futurism.com/is-the-universe-unnatural.md>)
- [Kardashev Scale: This Is What Life Will Look Like When We Harness the Energy of the Entire Universe](<https://futurism.com/kardashev-scale-this-is-what-life-will-look-like-when-we-harness-the-energy-of-the-entire-universe.md>)
- [The Holographic Universe Principle](<https://futurism.com/the-holographc-universe-principle-what-is-what-should-never-be.md>)