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Author Topic:   Why Doesn't the Moon Have Life?
ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 41 of 97 (394650)
04-12-2007 4:30 PM
Reply to: Message 38 by jjsemsch
04-12-2007 3:22 PM


Re: Life on the Moon?
jjsemsch writes:
... the theory is that life accidentally came from non-life here on Earth.
A better word than "accidentally" might be "inevitably" - or at least "probably".
... it would be logically consistent to believe that life came from non-life elsewhere.
Logic produces conclusions, not beliefs.
In the science threads, one should choose one's words carefully.

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ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 61 of 97 (425245)
10-01-2007 1:51 PM
Reply to: Message 58 by Scoopy
10-01-2007 12:42 PM


Scoopy writes:
... I'm just saying if the average distance was increased or decreased, we would be in deep trouble.
Not sure what you mean by "average distance", but the eccentricity of the orbit doesn't seem to be too critical, according to Discover magazine:
quote:
Astronomer Darren Williams and his colleagues at Pennsylvania State University at Erie have been studying elliptical orbits recently, and they think life on Earth can withstand a lot more tumult than scientists previously guessed. They have been running sophisticated computer models of planets in orbits of varying eccentricity circling suns of various sizes. "High eccentricity does not critically compromise planetary habitability," Williams says. Then he drops the astrobiology lingo and translates with a boyish smile: "These planets will still support life."

“Faith moves mountains, but only knowledge moves them to the right place” -- Joseph Goebbels
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ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 86 of 97 (425481)
10-02-2007 12:58 PM
Reply to: Message 82 by Scoopy
10-02-2007 12:39 PM


Scoopy writes:
"some" wouldn't have to be much, I'm thinking maybe like 1,000 miles?
I think I see what you're getting at with respect to life on the moon. While the moon's distance from the sun averages the same as the earth's distance, its maximum difference is about 200,000 miles farther and its minimum distance is about 200,000 miles closer.
The moon's climate would have higher high temperatures and lower low temperatures than earth if it had an atmosphere. Since it doesn't, the temperature dynamics are much different.
On earth, the atmosphere and the oceans absorb energy from the sun and act as a "buffer" to moderate temperatures. Heat absorbed when we are close to the sun is released when we are farther away. Thus, the change in distance from the sun has less effect than might be expected.
When you come right down to it, though, the moon has no life because of the lack of oxygen and water, not because of the extreme climate.
Edited by Ringo, : Removed inappropriate subtitle.

“Faith moves mountains, but only knowledge moves them to the right place” -- Joseph Goebbels
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