Part 2: The Milky Way
Scale in Part 2: 1/100,000,000,000,000 (one hundred trillionth)
Solar System diameter = 5 inches
Milky Way diameter = 5,900 miles
Universe diameter = 580 quadrillion miles
In Part 2 you depart our solar system and pass through the Oort Cloud. You will visit our nearest star neighbors and continue to the large black hole at the center of our galaxy: Sagittarius A*.
The total walking distance in Part 2 is less than a half mile.
| Actual Distance from Earth (light years) | Distance from Earth on Trail | |
| Oort Cloud | 0.25 – 1* | 175 feet |
| Proxima Centauri | 4.25 | 1,320 feet |
| Alpha Centauri | 4.37 | 1,360 feet |
| Sagittarius A* | 25,640 | 1,513 miles** |
* Estimates of the size and distance of the Oort Cloud vary greatly, since it cannot be observed directly
** For convenience, Sagittarius A* has been moved much closer than it really would be. You won’t have to walk 1,513 miles!
Learn more about the Oort Cloud ➔
Learn more about Alpha Centauri ➔
Learn more about the Milky Way ➔
Learn more about the constellations ➔
