I never fully grasped the true scale of a single galaxy (and then expanded that understanding to the observable universe) until I hopped in my ship in Elite Dangerous and actually set off to cross one. Holy fucking shit, does it really help put it into perspective when you’re traveling between vast galactic arms, hopping individual stars 50-70 Ly at a time and trying your damndest not to stretch yourself too thin in fear of running out of scoopable fuel/stars.
If I were an Astronomy teacher, Elite would be my most profound and precious tool.
I never fully grasped the true scale of a single galaxy (and then expanded that understanding to the observable universe) until I hopped in my ship in Elite Dangerous and actually set off to cross one. Holy fucking shit, does it really help put it into perspective when you’re traveling between vast galactic arms, hopping individual stars 50-70 Ly at a time and trying your damndest not to stretch yourself too thin in fear of running out of scoopable fuel/stars.
If I were an Astronomy teacher, Elite would be my most profound and precious tool.