9A. PLANET EARTH – ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND
BY DR. EARL PARVIN
304.237.1640
[see Our Solar System Ppt]
10/18/2019
INTRODUCTION: Let us agree, most Christians have little real understanding of our Solar System beyond the following few facts: we live on Planet Earth; men have walked on the Moon; we know the Sun keeps us warm; & we have heard talk about Space Travel to Mars [wherever that is, but I know I do not want to go there].
We look up into the night sky and see myriads of stars and hum some little ditty like [twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are] with almost no understanding that we are looking at the Milky Way Galaxy, where there are 10 billions of indistinguishable stars with the naked eye, in that ‘band of light’ looking just like someone spilt milk across the heavens. We might also see a bright shining light [Planet] or two.
This article is to encourage the Christian to seek to more clearly understand the majesty of God’s Creation of our heavens and the whole Universe, as expressed in the Genesis Account chapters 1 & 2 and also affirmed with many references throughout Scriptures. [The Biblical A/C of Creation is antithetical to the U. Evolving by Natural Laws -- in fact, we believe God Established the NLs by His attention to detail in the architectural planning]. In the Beginning [of Time] Elohim Created the Heavens [space] and the Earth [elements]. In Space He placed ‘Firmament or Expanse’ [‘planes’ – Hebrew]. In these Planes He would later place stars / planets / galaxies [galactic planes = firmament] in which is located our Solar System, the Earth [to be Inhabited], strategically placed in our Solar Bubble. Each heavenly body is to move in its own orbital Plane, i.e. Galactic Plane. Everything in the sky is moving in a ‘plane’ such that it can be predicted where it will be and so accurate to be used for navigation, or determining times and seasons [G. 1:14].
God’s attention to detail makes science possible. For instance the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is sorted by Atomic Number. Thus we believe that the Earth is finely tuned within its Solar System, its Milky Way Galaxy and the entire Universe with many observable elements which are not totally reproduced elsewhere. Others disagree searching, ever searching, with great zeal, looking for exo-planets & other worlds. [I add, by Faith, because there is no evidence after years of searching and designing ever larger & different kinds of telescopes].
The popular belief in the 21st century is that the Universe, the Galaxies, our Solar System, including its Planet Earth and all LIFE forms on it, including MAN, [250 kya] began ultimately from the “Big Bang” [13.8 bya]. This event was followed by a Massive Expansion, a great passage of time during which Evolution through the mechanism of Random Selection of NATURAL LAWS, made it all happen. In reality, NLs only function because God built into each kind epigenetic options, as observed by Mendel’s experiments. That is, our Planetary System began [9 bya]. Asteroids brought water [all of it mind you] to planet earth [4.5 bya]. The fossil record seems to explain how simple microbial life, abiogenesis [3.5 bya] became complex creatures and that happened two different times [NG 3/2018, p.89]. This theory is widely taught in most educational institutions as SCIENCE. [That tragically includes seminaries, many of which have abdicated to Theistic Evolution, meaning a weird accommodation theory of -- God creating the original primeval circumstances and then Evolution [i.e. Natural Laws: Hawking], making it all happen].
This scenario now accepted as fact; therefore, leaves the door open for secularists to postulate the Solar Nebular hypothesis. That is, SINCE Planet Earth and its Moon both revolving around the Sun, along with the entire Universe as a whole, evolved from Accretion Disks of small Dust particles of rock & ice; therefore, why should there not be thousands of other Universes and Earth-like planets revolving around their star [sun] in a comparable Green or Goldilocks Zone? Or, more recently considered, perhaps something entirely different from our GZ.
The method of postulating how many E-like planets there might be in our MW Galaxy is this. There are probably 400 billion stars in the MW; therefore, each could have an E-like planet; therefore, the MW most likely hosts some 400 billion E-like planets, some of which should be in the GZ.
Since life evolved on planet earth or elsewhere and migrated here, why would not life have evolved elsewhere also? So, they keep looking & looking. That makes perfect sense to someone who does not believe it necessary to have an Architect design an inhabitable planet and ‘speak it into instantaneous existence’ complete with age built in. Maybe there are other kinds of life out there somewhere? This is the new passion… look for ‘other worlds’ and listen for ‘alien life’ [i.e. Green Bank or its updates]. We are a great cosmic success story, winners of a cosmic lottery.
The ‘Other Worlds Hypothesis’ is also founded on the “Principle of Mediocrity” which Sagan and Drake have popularized as “the Earth is a typical rocky planet in a typical planetary system, located in a non-exceptional region of a common, ‘barred-spiral galaxy’”. This Principle of Mediocrity is sometimes called the ‘Copernican Principle’ which postulates that humans are not privileged observers of the Universe from planet earth. We are just common; therefore, there must be many others out there…
When researchers combined these uncertainties, rather than the guesswork that often go into the Fermi Paradox [where are all the postulated aliens? Where is everybody?], the team got a distribution as a result. Naturally, this resulted in a broad spread due to the number of uncertainties involved. But as Dr. Sandberg explained, it did provide them with an estimate of the likelihood that humanity (given what we know) is alone in the galaxy:
In the end, the team’s conclusions: humanity is alone in the Universe, or that the odds of finding evidence of extra-terrestrial civilizations (both past and present, does not mean that) it is unlikely. Instead, it simply means that we can say with greater confidence – based on what we know – that humanity is most likely the only intelligent species in the Milky Way Galaxy at present.
On the other hand, Ward and Brownlee argue in Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe that planets with complex life, like earth are exceptionally rare.
In the synopsis of the book, Privileged Planet, we read, “earth’s environment provides a delicate, and probably exceedingly rare, cradle for complex life. Those same rare conditions that produce a habitable planet-- provide the best overall place for observing the Universe. The universe is not “pointless” (Steven Weinberg), the Earth merely “a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark,” (Carl Sagan) and human existence “just a more-or-less farcical outcome of a chain of accidents” (Steven Weinberg). On the contrary, the evidence we can uncover from our Earthly home points to a universe that is designed for life, and designed for discovery”. [Amazing the evidence for a Privileged Planet they amass and yet believe it all happened by Natural Law, trial & error, without Architectural design! More than amazing. I acknowledge that I have profited greatly from their scientific research.
The late Stephen Hawking, of the University of Cambridge, England, wrote a book titled, The Grand Design, [of the universe], in which he seeks to eliminate God altogether. “Before we understood science, it is NATURAL TO BELIEVE GOD CREATED the Universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation [?]. We can know the mind of God. We would know everything God knows, if there was a God, which there isn’t. I’M AN ATHEIST. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the ‘blue touch paper’ [the fuse] and set the universe going. Modern physics leaves no place for God creating the universe”. [Note: He certainly knows better now!].
The National Geographic Magazine, March 2018 has an article entitled, “One Strange Rock”. “THIRTEEN things that make life on earth possible”. “Earth is well equipped as a planet & ideally PLACED in our solar system & Milky Way Galaxy to support life as we know it. The PRODUCT of some 4.6 BYRs of cosmic construction, our planet is flush with life thanks to a FORTUITOUS set of conditions, from the optimal chemical makeup of our planetary core to our safe distance from the hidden black hole at the heart of our galaxy.” Happily the three authors start well with our planet PLACED in the solar system [for it WAS placed there by God in His Planes or Firmaments] and then tragically they attribute this to ‘fortune’ & ‘ product of Billions of years’. [For God, time is not a necessary ingredient].
Since the BB is not reproducible and scientifically testable, it should be accurately labeled FAITH not SCIENCE, because Faith is defined as: “belief which does not rely on logical proof or material evidence” [Webster]. {NOTE: The Evolutionist would like to deceive the reader into thinking that Faith is a Biblical Concept. Although used in the Bible, it is defined in the Secular Dictionary}.
The Evolutionist starts with the premise of NATURALISM [by FAITH, I conjecture], because there is NO SCIENTIFIC evidence that it ever happened that way. The Biblical Creationist starts with the premise that GOD CREATED all the above, and we accept it by exactly the same means [FAITH], because there is no scientific evidence. BUT, the Biblical Creationist’s FAITH rests on Biblical Revelation, the OWNER’S MANUAL [if you please] not Man’s Speculation based on the present-backward look, speculating how long it might take for Naturalism to do its thing. That is, explain how it might have come to pass. [Tragically, Naturalistic theory, dashes credulity according to Scientific Methodology. How could Natural Selection produce such an orderly result, when it had to leave a trail of trial and corrective error [death] in the survival of the fittest? The trail of death proved it wasn’t the fittest! Only hoping beyond hope to get it right]. I note, that God did it right, THE FIRST TIME.
I proceed with the premise of the Biblical Creationist, that the Bible STATES, the Earth was DESIGNED by GOD to be INHABITED, by Faith [Is 45:18] and in 6 literal days. This system best represents the reality which is currently Observable and Predictable.
Men have always looked at the heavens. Galileo, observing the Universe quipped, “The Earth is a part of the ‘Dance of the Stars’”. Scientists have observed that for life to exist on Planet earth, certain factors have to exist. Such titles as: “Goldilocks Planet”: Privileged Planet, by Gonzalez & Richards; “One Strange Rock” [NG March 2018]; Unique, Rare in the Galaxy, Rare Earth by Ward / Brownlee or the Biblical definition: ‘FORMED to be Inhabited, not empty’ [Is 45:18]. I suggest the title, “Planet Earth: The only ONE of its KIND” really says it all! Other planets are ‘empty’ or not inhabitable would be the implication. However, Scientists are STILL LOOKING and hoping.
An article by Fraser Cain, in ‘This week in space’ [3/23/18] reminisces that “NASA’s Kepler Observatory is one of the most SUCCESSFUL PLANET HUNTING MISSIONS ever built, finding THOUSANDS OF PLANETS…but at some point in the next few months, engineers at NASA are going to shut this ‘planet hunting telescope down, ending its…discoveries of planets orbiting other stars [but never finding one inhabitable]. But don’t worry there are several other instruments in the works. ‘James Webb’ [telescope] will [hopefully] launch 2020 & also the ‘Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite’. Then the Europeans, not to be left out, will launch, ‘Ariel the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large Survey mission in 2028”.
A site on the Internet, “Learn Astronomy, A Beginners Guide to the Stars” has an article entitled, “15 Goldilocks Factors that allow life on Earth to exist”. The author states, “ Earth is often referred to as the Goldilocks Planet, primarily because of its orbit around its sun which allows for liquid water to exist”. This simplistic idea of one supreme Factor led to the ‘Drake Equation’ which formulated the complex equation to determine the number of planets in orbit around a star in our Milky Way Galaxy to be 100 million. This was later determined to be more like 12-17 Billion Earth-like planets. Obviously this estimate does not take into account ‘15 Factors’, only a few, such as just ‘existing in the ‘Green Zone’ required to support life.
Others have suggested that there are at least 20 factors required to make complex life possible on Planet Earth to make it INHABITABLE. If so, then the probability of there being another inhabitable planets in the Solar System or even the Universe would be, one in a Trillion. Even so, huge sums are being spent looking for Other Worlds existing in ‘green zones’, habitable zones, or Circumstellar Habitable Zones, etc. The radio telescope at Green Bank Observatory, in West Virginia, has been listening for decades, without success, for ‘others out there’ somewhere, who might be seeking to communicate with anyone out there. NOTE: There is talk of shuttering this radio telescope now as obsolete. [Not because it didn’t find anyone, but that newer and better telescopes are being constructed].
However, Jade Boyd [March 2018] published an article entitled, “Scientists look in unexpected places for Exoplanet Biosignatures”. Astrobiologists and geophysists are so intent on finding ‘exolife’ they are proposing to ‘expand their thinking on conditions needed for life beyond our own, which do not need Earth-like conditions. A ‘biosignature’ [evidence of past or present life] can possibly mean ‘Alien Life’. Therefore, they must look for a ‘biosphere’ or ‘biosignature gases’, such as Oxygen & Methane as a ‘smoking gun’ or sign of possible life which was or is here. Note: their these is, if any form of primitive life can be found, it could evolve into Alien Life under the right circumstances & with the right time frame.
Would you believe that NASA is investing millions of our tax dollars in their Nexus Program [Exoplanet System Science = NEXSS] Their WEB advertises the Astrobiology Institute program, or ‘Search for Life in the Universe’ which started in 2015. Their Post Doctoral employees are salivating for the planned [in the next decade] telescope LUVOIR = Large UV Optical-Near Infrared Survey Telescope, which is to enable direct observation of exoplanet atmospheres-- [looking for those necessary gases].
On the site, “Windows of Creation” a question is suggested, “How do you form a habitable planet? The answer, “The universe with its constants & laws requires exquisite balance to produce a relatively stable environment to make life possible”.
A detailed study of the Biblical Account of Creation, impresses me to suggest that everything we can observe about His Universe was specifically & purposefully placed [Ps 148:6] exactly where it is and is not able to be modified without disturbing its perfect balance. The ancients had it right when they understood the importance of the Earth in God’s creation. However, they had it wrong when they thought that everything revolved around the Earth [Geocentric]. In fact the solar system revolves around the Sun [heliocentric], but that does not detract from the fact God’s ultimate purpose was to create a Universe which Glorifies HIM [Ps 148:3] by focusing on MANKIND which can LOVE HIM while living on an Inhabitable Earth. {Ever wonder why He gives only five words to the billions of stars? Gen 1:16}. Therefore, we could look at every aspect of HIS CREATION and see how it focuses on making life possible on planet Earth. [PERIOD]
What are 20 [or more] necessary factors to make ‘life as we know it, possible’?
1. The RIGHT KIND OF PLANET – There are two kinds of planets within our Solar System [Rocky & Gas]. The four nearest our Sun [Star]{Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars}are made up of Rocks and Metals; therefore, called Terrestrials. The four further away from the Sun are made up of Gases which spawn swirling powerful storms. Jupiter and Saturn are made up of Hydrogen & Helium gas. Uranus &Neptune are ice giants. The right kind then is Terrestrial.
2. Right COMPOSITION OF PLANET – Earth’s chemical composition is different from the entire Universe, being the most Dense Planet. Its SOLID MASS is made up of 32% Iron, 30% Oxygen, 15% Silicon, 14% Magnesium, 3% sulfur, 2% Nickel, 1.5% Calcium & 1.4% Aluminum. Its CORE is 98% Iron & 6% Nickel and dynamic. The churching core creates a magnetic field which protects E. from radiation like solar flares.
The metallic content of the E’s composition is by specific design for life. There are 92 naturally occurring elements in the Periodic Table. Twenty-five percent are essential for life. According to scientist Williams, “there is no biology without metallic ions”. Metals are designed by God to carry out specific and complex functions for life. IRON is most important for carrying Oxygen in the Hemoglobin and plays an important role in the “electron transport chain”. COPPER is also necessary in than chain. CALCIUM plays many rolls in the body, especially bone structure. SODIUM & POTASSIUM are important in neural transmission. MAGNESIUM is critical for plants to absorb light for Photosynthesis & plays a vital role in
DNA & Protein synthesis. MOLYBDENUM + COBALT are involved in Nitrogen fixation by bacteria in organic compounds necessary for human life. Prof. Robert Hazen says, “Our planet’s mineralogical uniqueness…is necessary for life.”
3. The Right ATMOSPHERE is stable, dense & has the right chemical composition: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen & .04% CO2. The right O. percentage is critical for energy production in the Mitochondria cells. When O. combines with another element [i.e C.] energy is released from oxidation as ATP, an electrochemical.
CO2 is a metabolic end product of the combustion of biofuels by the cells. Thus C. can be distributed throughout the biosphere in the Carbon Cycle. CO2 is absorbed by the plants which gives off O.
The pH level of the body is critical. God so designed the body with processes which maintain that level.
Nitrogen [N2]. The body cannot use the N2 in the air; therefore, plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their roots. We gain the N2 from the foods we eat.
Its HIGH ATMOSPHERE due to its Gravity is insufficient to hold the Hydrogen & Helium; therefore, there is no thick, dense cloud cover, such as have the 4 larger planets. Seventy-one % of the Earth’s surface is covered by liquid water. Thus its composition effects its Motion, the effect of Gravity on Earth and Earth on other Celestials.
Its OZONE LAYER blocks harmful rays.
“No other planet in U. has an Atmosphere like E’s” [Janet Lubous, Live Science 2/23/18] “The fact that E. has an atmosphere, is extremely unusual” [Frey - UK]
Venus is positioned next to E. The atmosphere on Venus is 90X E’s. The E’s sister or twin, due to a similar size, rotates E to W, which is opposite to other planets or retrograde. It is covered with thick clouds of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid which make it the hottest planet [870’ F] and brightest, with a high Albedo or reflectivity. Thus it is called the ‘morning or evening’ star. [These facts are designed by God to be important to E’s livability. It is amazing that Jesus calls himself the Bright Morning Star =- Rev 22:16. This means one can can be reminded of HIM every morning, represented both in the morning and evening as the brightest star in the heaven].
4. RIGHT HYDROSPHERE necessary for carbon-based life. The hydrosphere is a self-regulating ecosystem. The hydrosphere consists of the total amount of water on, under and above the surface. The correct supply of fresh water [only 2.5% of E’s water] is maintained by a Water Cycle. Some of the water in the rivers, lakes and oceans evaporates [leaving behind impurities] to collect in clouds. It then falls as rain or snow collecting in the rivers, etc. Water is the basic necessity for life; called the “Matrix of Life”. It is uniquely suitable because of its properties from its Polar Nature: [i.e. – permits it to adhere to surfaces, capillary action in plants & via salts in water gives rise to neural conductivity. It is the Universal solvent]. Body temperature depends on water’s “Specific Heat Capacity. The bodies capacity to distribute nutrition to its cells & eliminate waste is dependent upon water’s ‘Low Viscosity’. Any variation would be disastrous. What a God.
Earth is called the ‘Watery Planet’ for it is the only known planet to have water available for life. Wikipedia states, “Earth’s atmosphere is distinctively different composition from other planets” [Hydrosphere article]. Carbon is a key component of all life representing up to half of all dry biomass. Complex molecules are made up of Carbon atoms combined with the atoms of the two ingredients of water, H + O as in H2O. Some planets have too much water [i.e. - Uranus, Neptune].
“Water, the most abundant compound on earth, perhaps in the solar system, has so many properties that make it truly remarkable especially in regard to making the planet habitable and life possible. Each of the following properties discussed here clearly shows that water is purposefully designed for making the earth habitable” [AiG Anderson 1/5/18]
5. RIGHT CARBON CYCLE. “The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth; therefore, E. recycles C., with the help of plate techtonics. [Venus & Mars keep C. locked in the air & rocks]. Carbon is the main component of 10 billion biological compounds as well as a major component of many minerals such as limestone” [Wikipedia]. The Carbon element readily makes chains of C. atoms, appropriate for building long, stable, complex molecules, such as DNA; therefore, is known as the ‘King of Elements”, perfectly matched for life. The C. atom can uniquely & simultaneously combine with 4 other very different elements, making diffuse structures. C. makes up 18% of the human body. When oxidized by oxygen, it makes metabolism possible in living things. Most compounds are c-based and are called Organic Compounds. All molecules of life are C-based.
A unique characteristic of C. is its “handedness” which is necessary for molecular recognition. Amino Acids which make up Proteins, are ‘left-handed. Sugars are “right-handed. Most compounds have C. and are “handed”.
C. is used by all stars in their atomic power. As such it is the 4th most common element in the Universe. However, appropriate C. for life processes must pass through the Carbon Cycle. C. is a greenhouse gas and helps keep the E’s surface warm.
6. The RIGHT POSITION OF THE PLANET IN RELATION TO THE SUN – In #1 above, the planets are listed in order from the Sun. Mercury is closest. Then Venus is 2nd, flanking E. 3rd from the S. with Mars 4th in location flanking the other side of E. The 4 gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus& Neptune are the furthest out. Each one of the Planets is right where God placed them to protect HIS prize, Planet Earth from Solar debris from Interstellar Space. They are called the Solar System’s giant vacuum cleaner of Asteroids, Comets & meteors. Indeed in July 1994, Jupiter was hit by 21 fragments of Comet: Shoemaker-Levy 9 [SL9], while the world watched in abject wonder. What if it had been E. instead?
The earth is said to be ‘Sun Fueled’.
RIGHT POSITION OF THE PLANET IN RELATION TO OTHER PLANETS. It is noteworthy, that Planet E. lacks ‘close-in-orbits’ of other planets as compared to confirmed exoplanets. The powerful gravity of those planets could cause perturbation of E.
RIGHT PATTERN IN PLACEMENT OF PLANETS IN RELATION TO DISTANCE FROM THE SUN. All planets are within 180’ of each other. It has been noted for centuries that each planet is located in a mathematical distance from the sun, called the ‘Titius-Bode Law of regularity’. In Astrology it is called the ‘Boral Planetary Pattern’. In Quantum Mechanics it is noted, ‘there is a Strange Pattern in our Solar System, and the “Organized Structures that emerge” or “Quantified Pattern in the Placement of Planets in our Solar System”. [I note that those dabbling in Quantum Mechanics are closer to the Biblical pattern of God’s Solar and Galactic Creation, than General Relativity. Recall that God first created Space. Then he put into Space, ‘firmaments’ [Planes} in which He placed the Celestial Bodies to orbit. {Gen 1:1,7,14-18}].
7. THE RIGHT SIZE PLANET. Earth is 5th in size with Venus # 6 closer to the S. and Mars #7 on the other side. The closest to the S. is Mercury which is 8th in size protecting from the S . Further away from the S. the 4 Gas Giants have their own unique place in God’s design.
In comparison to “confirmed exoplanets”, most of them are ‘super-earths’.
Mercury is unique in several ways in its relation to E. It is smallest and innermost of SS planets, as designed by God. It has shortest orbital period & uniquely tidally locked with the Sun. It has smallest tilt, near zero. It’s surface is heavily cratered. It has almost no atmosphere. Most interesting it has a very large 55% of is mass is in its core of iron. Its surface is heavily carbon. Its density about same as E’s. Right variety of planet sizes.
8. THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE SUN. The exact distance from the Sun is super critical for maintaining the correct temperature of E. of 50’ F. This allows for liquid water on E’s surface. [The temperature of Mars is 90’ & Venus 864’]. That distance from the S. is 93 million miles or 1 AU [Astronomical Unit of measurement].
9. THE RIGHT ORBIT AROUND THE SUN. The entire Solar System is Stable with regular orbits. E’s orbit is stable and nearly circular, [Is 40:22: Job26:10 H.‘chug”] being protected by the orbits of Jupiter & Saturn. The E. travels 584 million miles at 67,000 mph in its Sidereal Year of 365 days. The system is “Perfectly Balanced”. [AG] Orbits of other extra-solar planets highly eccentric.
10. RIGHT ROTATION OF EARTH ITSELF. It’s rotation speed of 1,000 mph, is the fastest of all Terrestrials, counter clockwise of 24 hours. It also rotates slower than Gaseous Giants.
11. RIGHT AXIS. Earth’s rotation is on an axis of 23’. It is optimal to maintain life on E. with four moderate seasons and even temperatures everywhere. [NOTE: Mercury has no tilt and Uranus has a 90’ tilt; therefore, neither is inhabitable].
12. RIGHT MAGNETOSPHERE – The Earth’s magnetosphere [which extends out ten times the radius of the Earth] is an Invisible Magnetized Shield deflecting the Sun’s or nearby star’s Solar Wind of charged particles. The Metallic Molten Core creates a Magnetic Field which protects all life from Solar Storms or cosmic radiation. The Nuclear activity of the core also heats the earth. [Venus has no magnetosphere].
13. RIGHT OZONE LAYER: Like the magnetosphere, the Ozone layer is a buffer for radiation especially Ultra violet [UV]. Ozone is a Rarity on other planets. Oxygen forms ozone = O3
14. RIGHT PLATE TECHTONICS. Plate Tectonics on Earth seem to be unique to planet E. due to its abundance of water on and subterranean. The study involves 7 large plates and numerous smaller plates of E’s lithosphere, meaning its crust and upper mantle. There are many positions about continental drift including the discovery of seafloor spreading. PT has a direct effect on the global thermostat, magnetic fields and moderation of E’s temperature.
15. RIGHT KIND OF STAR [SUN]. The Earth is Sun fueled. The star must be solitary, not binary as are 85% of solar system’s stars. It is a normal G2 Star, but most of the SS’s stars are Red Dwarfs. It is a STABLE star, not reaching the destructive extremes of other stars such as the Red, Orange, White and particularly BLUE. The blue stars are the brightest, deadliest and hottest of stars [i.e. 40,000 K] a million times our sun. Its diameter is 865,000 miles. It is made up of 70% Hydrogen and 28% Helium. By nuclear fusion it burns 700 million tons of H per second making He, producing a surface temperature of 5800 Kelvin. The Sun protects E. from solar galactic debris with a bubble of charged particles that repel dangerous radiation & harmful materials from interstellar space. Our Sun has the right luminosity, variability, galactic orbit & metallicity. Our sun is missing vast amounts of metals found in most stars; therefore, unique.
Our Sun has the Right Kind of Ecliptic or Galactic Orbit. It’s orbital plane was established by God as the Biblical “expanse”-NIV or “firmament”-KJV. [Hebrew “raqia” = pounded out plane]. Why does the KJV translate ‘raqia’ firmament which is Latin meaning “fixed in place” [Webster]. That is exactly what God did. He fixed in place the celestial bodies in their orbit in a fixed plane. The Galaxies in their Galactic Planes. The sun in its Ecliptic Plane. Then note, all the solar planets are fixed in their Ecliptic Coordinate System as a functioning unit with the Sun their orbiting center.
16. RIGHT KIND OF GALAXY. Galaxies are gravitationally bound STARS numbering from a few hundred million to hundreds of trillions. Each OF 2 TRILLION Gs. will usually have a central massive Black Hole, which gravitationally consumes anything nearby. There are three ‘shapes’ of Galaxies: A. Elliptical, which is unstructured with an irregular orbit. B. Spiral which is highly structured with an ordered orbit. C. Finally there are the so-called Irregulars. Two thirds of Gs are Spiral. Our MWG is a Barred Spiral Galaxy. The importance of this type of G. is obvious. The MWBH is named ‘Sagittarius A’. Our Solar Bubble [300 ly across] is located on one of the G’s two major ‘Arms’ a safe distance of 30,000 ly from the BH which is 14 million miles across. The size of our MWG is ‘medium’ being only 100,000 ly across its ‘disk’ which is 2,000 lys thick. The MWG is surrounded by a halo of hot gas extending outwards hundreds of thousands of ly. The MWG is moving through space at 515,000 mph or 143 mi/s. Surrounded by fewer larger galaxies.
RIGHT KIND & SIZE OF BH. It is important to note that the Super Massive Black Hole of our MW is “Remarkably Calm” with reference to the other 100 million BHs in the MW. Sagittarius A, [name of our BH] is “dim” compared to the other BHs. The size of our BH is 4 million solar masses as compared to ‘ultra-massive’ BH of 40 msm. The BH is relatively ‘quiet’ versus ‘active’ which means it is not actively engulfing everything that comes near the
Event Horizon, from which there is no return, because of the strength of Gravity. It appears that the magnetic fields surrounding the BH are keeping it quiet, forcing everything to orbit the hole rather than be engulfed.
17. RIGHT LOCATION OF GALAXY IN UNIVERSE. The MW Galaxy is stable, with firm laws of motion, energy, matter and gravity applied across the Universe. Many Galaxies are on collision courses with others. Our galactic path steers away from colliding with other galaxies. Our MWG is part of what is called the ‘Local Cluster of Gs’. The furthest of 25 clusters of Galaxies known in 2018 is [GN-z11], said to be 13.3 bly away from us. The MW is moving through Galactic Space at 550 km/s
The
universe is said to be made up of filaments or Shells of Galaxies held together
by Gravity, surrounding massive voids. The void in which the MW Galaxy is
located is named: Keenan, Barger & Cowie [KMC] void, said to be a
‘Cosmic Desert’, 2 Billion lys across. Interesting most stars and Galaxies are
in the filaments. The MWG is located in the ‘Local Sheet’ in the center of the “larger
than average, less dense void”, moving at 600,000 mph.
18. RIGHT LOCATION OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM IN GALAXY. The MW Galaxy is located 2/3 of the distance away from center of the Galaxy’s Black Hole & its radiation. Here it is not in a crowded neighborhood of the other 200 billion stars in the G. It is also on the edge of the Green Zone of MW OR ‘Galactic Habitable Zone’ which is quieter. Our Solar Bubble traverses the Galactic Center in 240 million terrestrial years at 514,000 mph or 143 mi/s. This orbit is called a Cosmic or Galactic Year. The E. is ideally located in the Galaxy, protected from stellar crowds of collapsing stars or supernovae.
19. RIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF TRANSITING MOON. The E’s Moon orbits the E as a system, being gravitationally bound. E’s spin axis angle is therefore nearly constant and its wobble stabalized. Both orbit the sun in the E’s plane & the Moon’s ecliptic. As such they create a double planet orbiting the sun. The Moon controls the tides of the E’s bodies of water, creating a seasonal climate. This is one of the critical factors in E’s habitability. The moon only reflects 12% of the sun’s light; therefore, becomes the E’s ‘night-light’. As such it provides a ‘night cycle’ for plants which require a biochemistry occurring only at night.
It is 239,000 miles from the E, which is closer than most planetary moons. It has a rocky surface which protects E. from space debris as its pock-marked surface aptly demonstrates. It has no moons, rings or atmosphere. The moon’s core is only 3% of its mass, while most other moons have larger cores. [E’s core is 30% of its mass]. The moon has a high angular momentum speed orbiting the E. of 2,288 mph. The E. and its moon are the same age. The moon’s size [2,000 mile diameter] and orbit positively impact E’s stability.
Worldwide ocean currents are generated by the moon’s effect upon tides and wind thus keeping the ocean’s oscillating water from becoming stagnant.
20. RIGHT ECLIPTIC PLANE. Summarizing all of the above, the Invariable Plane of the Ecliptic is the path of the Sun through its celestial sphere with its entourage. The Sun is a near perfect sphere of hot plasma which is spinning on its axis. The earth is spinning on its axis with its moon orbiting the E. and also spinning. The Earth along with the rest of the planets is orbiting in a coplanar fashion with the Sun’s plane. This entire system [Sun, Earth & its Moon, along with the other solar planets] is orbiting the Milky Way Galaxy’s Black Hole as the MW Galaxy is also moving through space. That is some dance, orchestrated by God.
So I summarize. Dr Frank Sherwin observes, “Move any piece of the solar system today, or try to add anything more & the whole construction would be thrown fatally out of kilter. So how exactly did this delicate architecture come to be?” [Back to Genesis].
Even with each of the above ‘special E. factors, there are those who still say that Planet Earth is nothing special.
God’s intent in His Revelation, the Bible, clearly focuses one’s attention on a people to love, honor and serve HIM. Notice, He originally placed them in a perfect Garden of Eden [which requires the 20 or more RIGHTS above] with perfect bodies designed to live forever [G. 3:22]. God’s design for the Stars and Galaxies a plenty in their perfect PLANES [firmament] were to be useful for “lights”, “signs and seasons” [G.1:14]. The 250,000 Trillions of Stars are only mentioned as… Oh, by the way, “He also made the stars” [G.1:16]. They were made for God’s glory [Ps 148:3]. They sing to HIM [Job 38:7]. But they have become a massive distraction for deprave hearts seeking desperately to rule God out of their lives. God warned Israel: “And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven”[Du 4:19].{Consider Egypt-- worshipping the Sun or the Middle Eastern countries which worshipped the Moon God – Nanar or the Babylonians worshipping the stars} “But God turned away from them [Israel] and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: [Acts 7:42]
How wonderful is our Elohim. All of God’s creative effort was to focus on US, dear Christian, to love and serve HIM, not look for other worlds and other people. We have the billions of this world who still need to hear of HIM. Seek HIM [Du 4:29; I Chron 28:9; Ps 10:4; 27:4; Is 55:6; Lam 3:25; Heb. 11:6].
It is an interesting search man has made over the centuries to determine what revolved around what? Geocentric? Heliocentric? In reality it is Theocentric. The whole universe revolves around its Maker & Sustainer. The Architect was Anthropocentric, not the universe, for He made the Earth to be inhabited.
The 06/2018 National Geographic Magazine has an interesting article on 60 years of space travel entitled, “For the bulk of human history, it’s been impossible to put earth in cosmic perspective”. This expresses their normal attitude toward planet E. being special, calling it a “most peculiar place” in their 10-part series on TV entitled, “One Strange Rock”. The first woman to do a space walk opined, I have an “abiding awe for the intricate systems that come together to make E an improbable oasis”. A Russian cosmonaut spent 28 years in the business said, “E. is unique in its ability to support life as we know it…we are one among billions of worlds in the MWG… but the only one in reach that’s just right for humans”. Amazing for NGM.
In the MIT Technology Review for 2019 is this summarizing statement of our societies attitude: “This Century is special. It is the first species [ours] which has Earth’s future in our hands and could jeopardize life’s immense potential. We have entered a geological era called the ‘Anthropocene’. Our Earth, this ‘pale blue dot’ in the Cosmos is a special place. IT MAY BE A UNIQUE PLACE. We are its stewards at an especially crucial era. That is an important message for us all. [We Christians see the humanistic philosophy at work here. It is true God created this world to be inhabited, and put man here to till it, but God is still in charge and sustaining it!]
Wouldn’t you know--- “There Could Be Planets Out There Which are Even More Inhabitable than Earth” [Astrophysical Journal] “Some exoplanets may have better conditions for life to thrive than Earth itself has”.