When you think about the majesty, the colossal nature of an aircraft carrier — basically a large floating city in the middle of the sea — it can be difficult to even comprehend its magnitude compared to, oh, let’s say? A dinghy bobbing between whitecaps.

The following clip might help.

It’s a time-lapse video of being a fly on the flight deck of the USS John C. Stennis for an entire day, in less than four minutes.

Not to sound corny, but with the sun shining upon its mighty construction and the deep blue shimmering in the background, it’s kind of gorgeous, isn’t it?

Scratch that. It’s not “kind of” gorgeous. It is.

The John C. Stennis is one of ten bona fide aircraft carriers in the United States Navy’s extensive fleet. It runs on nuclear power (is Nimitz-class) and calls Bremerton, Washington home. On its deck it can support F/A-18 Hornets, EA-6B Prowlers, MH-60Rs, MH-60Ss and even E-2C Hawkeyes.

It also houses the commander of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21).

After a long deployment in the South Pacific (Singapore, Philippines and even a short stop in Honk Kong) it recently arrived back in San Diego, on August 10.

It was named after John Cornelius Stennis, a member of the U.S. Senate for more than 40 years, representing his home state of Mississippi.