An ongoing series illustrating human ideas about the cosmos, from fantastical ancient beliefs to contemporary scientific theories.by Caitlin Russell

fig. 9 - The earth is a sphere because that is the most perfect mathematical shape and all heavenly bodies are perfect. (Pythagoras, Ancient Greek) The Outer Sun is an ongoing series illustrating human ideas about the cosmos.

posted 6 years ago with 12,888 notes

fig. 6 ~ There is a great void far out in space, devoid of any galaxies, clusters, or dark matter. More info on the Eridanus Supervoid here and here. posted 7 years ago with 607 notes

fig. 5 ~ The flat earth is enclosed by a cosmic ocean. And beyond the ocean are seven islands that only a few have ever reached. (Babylonian) posted 7 years ago with 60 notes

fig. 2 ~ Protostar stars are formed from collapsing clouds of gas and dust, when a gravitational “center” develops in a molecular cloud posted 7 years ago with 232 notes