Which of the following lists the structures in our own part of the universe in order of increasing (smallest to largest) scale?

• A. Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster.
• B. Milky Way Galaxy, Solar System, Local Group, Local Supercluster.
• C. Solar System, Local Group, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Supercluster.
• D. Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Supercluster, Local Group.

Answer: (B)

Understanding how cosmic structures stack up in size helps you order them from smallest to largest. The smallest bound system is the Solar System, which is just the Sun and everything orbiting it. Next is the Milky Way Galaxy, a vast collection of billions of stars, gas, and dark matter spanning about 100,000 light-years. Then comes the Local Group, a galaxy cluster that includes the Milky Way and Andromeda, spread over a few million light-years. The largest among these here is the Local Supercluster, a much bigger ensemble that contains many galaxy groups and clusters across tens of millions of light-years. So, the correct increasing-scale sequence is Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster. The option that lists that exact progression matches the intended order.