Re: How special is the Solar System?

From: Andrew Nowicki (andrew_at_nospam.com)
Date: 08/08/04 

Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2004 19:44:54 +0200

Simple forms of life may evolve into advanced, intelligent forms
of life in a period of several billions of years if they are not
exterminated by drastic climatic changes. Stable climate is possible
only if the planet's orbit is stable and nearly circular. All the
planets of our solar system have stable and nearly circular orbits,
but all known extrasolar planets have eccentric orbits except for
those close enough to their star to be circularized by tidal forces.
The tidal forces also lock the planet's rotation, so one face of the
planet is always turned toward its star, just like the Moon always
keeps the same face turned toward the Earth. The bright side of the
planet is too hot for life, while its dark side is too cold for life.
Supercomputer simulations of orbital stability are not sophisticated
enough to determine if planetary systems made of many planets are
stable. It is possible that the absence of massive body in the main
asteroid belt stabilizes planetary orbits. Although intelligent forms
of life and technological civilizations may be rare, it is unlikely
that we are the only technological civilization in the entire universe.

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