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5 Science Infographics Everyone Should See
he best science infographics make data digestible, accessible and visually appealing, without skimping on the relevant facts. Some are for scientists, organizing massive amounts of data in a way that’s powerfully useful; while others are designed for a lay audience, illustrating complex concepts simply, like the science behind the Higgs Boson or evolution. It’s in this latter category that science infographics are making the most obvious widespread impact.
Here are five science infographics for non-scientists that will change the way you see the world.
The Scale of the Universe
Visiting the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York City can be a life-changing experience. Their keystone exhibit – a giant spiraling timeline of everything – makes scale astoundingly accessible. Using models, the viewer experiences the infinitude of an atom and the enormity of a galaxy. By the end, the size of the space inside the viewer’s head is the size of the universe.
Scale is inherently difficult to comprehend. We live in a macro world and most of the time we’re imprisoned by the size and scope of our bodies. But sometimes, a truly ingenious exhibit or (in the case of the interactive infographic below) a graphic representation, can demolish the walls around our puny little minds. And understanding scale is such a fundamental part of science appreciation. Why is it amazing that we have a rover on Mars? Because Mars is so incredibly far away. Why should I be impressed that we understand atoms and quantum theory? Because something that small should be completely incomprehensible to a human being. The achievements of science are never more obvious than when the scale of the universe is understood. (To view the interactive infographic below, click on the image.)
The Wonderful World of Energy
Energy: the life force. Without it, we’d be inanimate nothings. We wouldn’t have cells that generate new tissue or minds that fire signals from neuron to neuron. We wouldn’t have sunlight to warm us or to feed our plants. We wouldn’t have plants. Life depends on energy. Motion depends on energy. And, on a less fundamental level, our lifestyles depend on energy too. Having a basic understanding of energy – what it is, how it works, and why it’s important – should be something we all aspire to. The below infographic is an excellent place to start.
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Gabriel Catalano® 