The Most Astounding Fact About The Universe, As Told By Neil DeGrasse Tyson (VIDEO)

In an interview with Time magazine, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was asked the question: "What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the universe?"

The famed scientist and author gives an answer that is perhaps as eloquent as it is mind-blowing; as beautiful as it is sublime.

It's best to hear Tyson's response in the video, but his answer is perhaps best revealed in one particular quote:

"We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us," he explains.

"Many people feel small because they're small and the universe is big, but I feel big," he says.

In the clip above, video editor Max Schlickenmeyer ties the insights together with breathtaking visuals to create a powerful representation of the science behind Tyson's answer .

Learn more about Tyson's revelation by watching the video above and the full interview below. Afterwards, be sure to share your reaction in the comments section.

WATCH: Time magazine's interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson:

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Comments

[daniel gordon sparrow]

10:13 AM on 05/17/2013

endless/bottomless money,daniel gordon sparrow.

[Mason J Stewart]

10:35 PM on 12/14/2012

The mas is good. He's on track without being bias. The Creator meant for us to become the best scientist possible. Pay attention to the stars. Religion was a mistake.

[Gaz Matik]

01:22 PM on 12/06/2012

we are star stuff

[Cage me]

11:18 PM on 04/03/2012

Wow, I've said deeper stuff buzzing on benedryl

[Drew DeFord]

04:29 AM on 08/27/2012

Really, eh? Why don't you share those thoughts with us?

Try me.

[Tia NightEagle]

04:36 PM on 03/27/2012

video take's toooooooo long to load

[sonofsarek]

02:11 AM on 03/27/2012

"most outstanding fact"?

that Americans were stupid enough to elect Bush twice to office.

[Pauline Seville]

12:35 AM on 03/26/2012

Neil Degrasse Tyson...a wise voice among us...he is about the triumph of hope over despair.

The video is exquisite...my favourite on here.

[lupro1]

12:42 PM on 03/24/2012

What it seems usually is not, and what it really might be, is beyond our intent to understand it. So much that the only thing left is to concede to our imagination.
Is the Earth visible from the nearest star? maybe not. If a planet the size of Earth explodes and becomes a spread out mass of dust the size of the solar system would it be visible from the nearest galaxy? maybe not.
So what is it that makes us believe that we are sure to interpret what galaxies far, far away have a particular composition?.
Yes you are right, we can only be speculative of its contents.
And yes it will never cease to strike awe and the proper and due respect to God, the Creator of the Universe who has existed through eternity, for when we can peak to the farthest point in the Universe we can only conclude that we are staring at Eternity.
"The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."
Psalm 37:29.

[joe1964]

06:36 AM on 03/23/2012

What a beautiful video. I don't want to argue science or religion. I just want to say how happy I am to have seen that.

[themodernleader]

10:57 PM on 03/21/2012

  We are never satisfied with obvious answers of our existence:  That we are a the only conscious species that has defined time with past, present, future designations; that we are are the only consciously aware species anywhere in the universe, as far as we can determine, and that we are alone on a very small world in the outskirts of  a dumdum galaxy;  That the world around us is a hostile, inert, lifeless universe determined to destroy all life as alien to the nature of the universe;  That explaining the universe to ourselves makes us lords of the universe; That our only true purpose is to make sense of the universe for ourselves and our posterity for the next 3 billion years;  That  the quality of our leadership will decide our fate as a species.

[ackeegrl]

10:25 PM on 03/27/2012

Why should the Universe be so vast and only one planet among trillions spawn life? Earth alone is teaming with various species, so why not the universe? I believe we are trying to be lord of our own homes much less to arrogantly be lords over the universe.

[mirari44]

03:07 PM on 03/19/2012

You both are right. There is a major difference between particles and spirit. One is something, the other is a "no thing." The Spirit, whether God, or us, little gods, are eternal. Whether we have body or not, we just ARE!

[gurukalehuru]

02:08 PM on 03/19/2012

The most amazing thing about the universe is that it exists at all. Amazing, and extremely fortunate.

[arivos]

07:13 PM on 03/17/2012

What I find most astonishing is that no matter what we do or how we try, we can't conceive of something or someone not having a beginning. And yet, it must be. Some people say God always was and is, no beginning. Some say these particles always were and are, no beginning just change. I love Dr. Tyson's passion and sense of wonder. Regardless, we all have to make a choice. Either the particles always were or God always was. God sounds like foolishness to many and particles sound like foolishness to many. Humanity demands faith in choosing one or the other and I choose to believe that some day we will have a final answer.

[SuperHeretic]

09:05 AM on 03/19/2012

I get where you're coming from... however, there's a difference between proof of god and proof of particles.

We have a lot of proof of particles. This whole 'god' thing? Not so much.

[lupro1]

12:57 PM on 03/24/2012

What is the process of creation? Say you have come up with an invention, but in order to realize it you first need to put it on paper or proceed to create using your imagination. A process that may require a lot of thinking and time that involves the gathering of materials to realize it.
Now think, based on the aforesaid example if you were to invent a complex machine. Can you do it with a simple process?.
Now have you examined yourself and thought of the much too complex of the
human body?
You have to analyze things from a different prospective.

[ackeegrl]

10:29 PM on 03/27/2012

When you are in love how can someone know it? I can't "see" physical evidence of love. When you are feeling lonely how can I see that? We feel a lot of things we don't see and because we share those feelings we believe you when you say you love or are lonely.......so for the people who have experienced the presence of God, you know what I feel......

[gurukalehuru]

02:10 PM on 03/19/2012

First fan.

[Papi-Chullo]

07:08 PM on 03/17/2012

I Agree

[chaya]

03:45 PM on 03/17/2012

"We are stardust, we are golden. We are billion year old carbon, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden."

Joni Mitchell
"Woodstock" (1969)

Beautiful video, and great talk from Mr. Tyson.