Universe — Vast & Expanding (National Geographic)

798 × 610 mm (Landscape) • Published 2019 • Paper / Laminated / Laminated + Hang Rails / Canvas / Canvas + Hang Rails • Made in Australia

See where we fit—from our Sun to the edge of the observable universe. National Geographic’s Universe: Vast & Expanding uses intuitive leaps of scale to place our Solar System, the solar neighborhood (~20 light-years), the Milky Way, the Local Group, and the known universe on one wall-readable canvas.

---

🌌 What You’ll See (At a Glance)

• Scale ladder: Side-by-side panes that zoom from the familiar to the cosmic whole

• Clear cartography: Calm palette, tuned line weights, crisp labels—legible across the room

• Context layers: Star fields, groupings, and structure lines that orient you quickly

• Companion ready: Pairs perfectly with Milky Way: Earth’s Spiral Home and Solar System: The Sun’s Neighborhood

A single visual that turns abstract distances into an “aha!” moment.

---

🔭 How to Read the Map (The Scale Ladder)

• Solar System (AU / millions of km): Planetary orbits anchored to the Sun

• Solar Neighborhood (~20 ly): Nearest bright stars and stellar neighbors

• Milky Way (kpc): Our spiral galaxy with arms, bar, and galactic centre context

• Local Group (Mpc): Milky Way, Andromeda, Triangulum, and satellite galaxies

• Observable Universe (~45 billion ly radius): Large-scale structure and cosmic web context*

*Figures are order-of-magnitude guides to help learners grasp scale.

---

🧠 Learning Outcomes (Educator-Friendly)

• Scale & Units: AU, light-years, kiloparsecs, megaparsecs—what they mean and when to use them

• Structure: How stars → galaxies → groups → the cosmic web fit together

• Perspective: Why the observable universe has a horizon and what “expanding” implies

• Critical reading: Interpreting legends, projections, and comparative panels

---

👥 Who Uses It

• Teachers & museums: A durable focal graphic for astronomy and physics units

• Libraries & labs: Public-facing reference that invites questions and exploration

• Studios & offices: Conversation-starting science art with real explanatory power

• Space enthusiasts: A daily reminder of our place in the cosmos

---

🎨 Finishes & Display Options

📄 Paper — FSC® 160 gsm (Matte-Coated)

• Smooth, low-glare surface—ideal for framing under glass

• Printed with archival Hewlett-Packard pigment inks for excellent fade resistance

💧 Laminated — True Encapsulation

• Printed on 120 gsm and sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate (edge-sealed)

• Wipe-clean • Tear-resistant • Marker-friendly (use non-permanent whiteboard markers)

• Great for classrooms, labs, briefing rooms, and busy offices

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails — Ready to Hang

• Natural, lacquered timber rails (top & bottom) + top hanging cord

• Professional, frame-free presentation—hang from a single hook

• ⏱️ Please allow up to 10 working days for rail fitting by our framer

🖼️ Canvas — HP 395 gsm Professional Matte

• Gallery-grade texture + archival HP pigment inks for rich detail and fade resistance

• Low-glare, tactile finish—ideal for executive spaces and public foyers

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails

• Same premium canvas with natural timber rails + top hanging cord

• Ready-to-hang, gallery-style statement piece

• ⏱️ Please allow up to 10 working days for rail fitting

Dry-erase markers are recommended only on laminated versions.

---

📐 Specifications

---

🧽 Care & Mounting Tips

• Laminated: Use non-permanent whiteboard markers; wipe with a dry microfiber cloth (lightly damp if needed).

• Paper: Frame under glass to protect the print surface.

• Canvas: Dust gently; avoid liquids and prolonged direct sunlight.

• Hanging: Hang-railed versions balance from a single hook—easy up, easy down.

---

🔗 Perfect Companions (Bundle Ideas)

• Solar System: The Sun’s Neighborhood — anchor lessons at human scale

• Cosmic Journeys / Missions of Exploration — connect maps to real spacecraft

---

🤝 Our Commitment

• Local craftsmanship: Printed and finished in Australia for consistent quality and responsive support

• Clarity first: Legends, colours, and label hierarchies tuned for wall readability in real learning and working spaces

• Archival build: FSC® papers, heavy-duty canvas, and HP pigment inks for long-term colour stability

• Packed with care: Hand-checked and securely boxed to arrive clean and display-ready

---

Bring the cosmos into clear view. Choose Paper, Laminated, Laminated + Hang Rails, Canvas, or Canvas + Hang Rails—and make scale, structure, and wonder instantly visible on your wall.