#2782

Smallest-Scale Commercially-Available Map

Many years ago, when I was doing astronomy, I used to work with Michael Merrifield. Recently I discovered he is now in the art business. The picture on the left is of his map of the universe sculpture. Michael uses a laser to engrave data from astronomical surveys into a 6cm (2.5″) glass cube. The result a map of the known universe showing its large scale structure with a scale of about a one to a billion billion billion. He holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest scale three dimensional map.

All this is all very well but why do you need one? It looks quite pretty and might convince your friends that you’re cleverer than they previously believed – intelligence by association. It’ll also come in handy should a passing alien need directions home.

You too can be the proud owner of a map. Visit the Crystal Nebulae web site and order yours.

In case you were wondering… No, Michael didn’t pay me to write this.