stars or sand

[RAMEAUX]

I seem to recall a cosmetologist it might have been Carl Sagan stating that there are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on earth.
How could such a statement be arrived at and what are the calculations to support this?

[EDLEE]

First, isn't a cosmetologist the same as a beautitian? That's what it said on my sister's license at least. As for the other, Sagan said a lot of stuff for effect. One can estimate both quantities but can never prove either.

[Llamatron]

I think perhaps he was trying to convey the enormity of the universe in terms that people can understand.

[Clanad]

Actually, Sagan was short of sand by several hundred billion grains according to this calculation...
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=68 1430

[mibn2cweus]

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