this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2024
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xkcd

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Astronomers are a little unsure of the applicability of this index, but NASA's Planetary Protection Officer is all in favor.

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[–] topherclay 14 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I think part of it is that Mt Everest is a lot smaller than you'd think when you're looking at this scale. The moon is only 2% of the Earths volume so when you spread it over the Earths surface it's really like a thin thin film to cover the whole surface. But the truth is that all of human experience is an even thinner film smeared across the surface.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

How is 43 km of moon armor a thin surface by any means?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Consider that the earth is ~12700 km in diameter

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yeah, but from surface to space it's ruthly 100 km, so 43 km is quite the cover. Then again, I get what you are saying. I gues it's a matter of perspective.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Ah I see. Although the comic spreads the moon "relatively", it presents it absolutely. Although interesting in by itself it does feels it's missing something.