Fractal Universe

While contemplating my pathetically insignificant existence in contrast to the vastness of the universe, I came to a realization that may not be original or uncommon, but for me it was a blissful epiphany.

Fractals at the Atomic Level

Consider the structure of an atom: electrons “orbit” the nucleus. One could compare the electrons to planets orbiting a star (the nucleus). Atoms combine to form molecules, and molecules combine in ever-increasingly complex systems to create organic cells. Billions of star systems are contained within a galaxy, which is analogous to the cell in this situation. Cells then combine to form higher life forms, just as galaxies form clusters. Galaxy clusters represent the cosmic twin to the quantum life form. Galaxy clusters interact with one another, but only slightly, similarly to organisms interacting with one another in a community. The analogies are not perfect, but the similarities do exist.

Fractal Parallels Between the Birth of Star Systems and Flowers

Another series of fractal similarities was brought to my attention upon learning of research done on the birth of the solar system. It is believed that a nearby Supernova released heavy metals such as silicon and iron into the gas cloud that was the material from which the Sun and the planets were created. The silicon and iron particles careened into the gas cloud and the increased matter caused the cloud to collapse on itself. The speed of the particles accelerated by gravity at the center of the cloud inexorably led to the ignition of the Sun.

This is similar to a system that operates on a much smaller scale here on Earth. Angiosperms (flowering plants) reproduce by way of a male releasing pollen (sperm) into the air that hopefully finds its way to the carpel which contains the ovules (egg). The two combine to form a fruit containing seeds, from which new plants are born. Supernova are the stamen which releases pollen (iron and silicon) and the gas cloud is the carpel. When the two combine, a new entity is born in the likeness of the components from which it was spawned.

Fractal Parallels Between the Cosmos and Animal Cells

It is also possible to see similarities between a eukaryotic cell and a galaxy. Supernova are the material factories of a galaxy. The extreme nuclear reactions that occur as a result of the enormous power from a supernova create the heavier elements of the universe, including organic and metallic atoms. Without Supernova, atoms much larger than Helium and Hydrogen would not exist. Compare this with the ribosomes of the eukaryote cell. Ribosomes assemble proteins, which are the building blocks of many of the other structures that make up the cell. Without the ribosome, cells would not exist because the proteins necessary to create corollary cell structures such as flagellum, mitochondria and golgi body are made in the ribosomes. It is also postulated that there is a Super Black Hole at the center of the galaxy, thus fulfilling the role of a recycling plant. Other black holes exist at various points in the galaxy as well. Black Holes are like the lysosomes of a cell, whose function is to recycle toxins and old organelle materials.

Coincidence? Maybe. Providence? Perhaps. Logical? Most definitely. As Carl Sagan says, “We are all made of star stuff,” and he is quite right. Since everything in the universe has its roots in the same basic building blocks and adheres to the same laws of physics, it is no wonder that similarities exist between the many scales of existence. Ironic, all we really are is a way for the universe to observe itself.

Image used in this post

Sunflowers courtesy of Flickr user will_hybrid under the CC license.

Cross-Section of an Animal Cell. Enchanted Learning, Copyright 2001-2009.