A Finely-Tuned Universe: What Are the Odds?

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Here are some more amazing factors:

 The speed of light. The constant of the speed of light-299,792,458 kilometers per second-is critical to the existence of life. A faster speed of light would cause energy ("E" in "E=mc²") to increase dramatically, burning up life on planet earth. A lower "E" would cause things to freeze.

 The age of the universe when the earth appeared. The earth had to appear at a certain stage-several generations of giant stars had to have fused enough heavy elements to allow for the proper earth chemistry. Also, the earth had to be located in the right part of the galaxy for life to appear.

 Small-mass and large-mass stars. Both are needed in order for life to exist. For this to be possible, the ratio of the electromagnetic force constant to the gravitational force constant must be correct within 1 part in 10⁴⁰. An increase or decrease in this ratio by only that factor would make life untenable.

Considering just the above points, already the big bang suddenly doesn't look nearly so chaotic, disorganized, or unplanned.

More Evidence for the Anthropic Principle

Once some astrophysicists started discovering the amazing precision of the cosmos, others started seeking additional parameters that might have been preprogrammed into the universe to make an environment suitable for life.

Since that time, about 10 to 15 new critical parameters have been discovered each year. A small change in any one of these would make life impossible. To date, more than 152 have been identified.

It's often surprising what factors play a part in earth's suitability for human life. Here's a sampling of some of the critical parameters.

 Earth's distance from sun: Too close, too hot for life. Too far, too cold.

 Sun's location relative to center of galaxy: Too close to center, too close to meteor storms. Too far away, too unstable.

 Sun's mass: Key to energy distribution to earth.

 Sun's short-term and long-term luminosity variability:

 Must be in proper ranges for photosynthesis.

 Tilt of planetary axis: Necessary for seasons. All three forms of water (liquid, ice, and gas) are necessary to maximize life variables.

 Number of moons: Must have one moon for tidal forces, but more than one would create unbearable tidal instability.

 Ratio of oceans to continents: Must be correct to keep global temperature stable (land and water absorb heat at different rates).

 Position and mass of Jupiter relative to Earth: Jupiter's gravity is critical to life on earth.

 Atmospheric transparency: Important both for rate of photosynthesis and degree of energy transfer (heat) to earth.

 Carbon dioxide level: Important for rate of vegetation stabilization.

 Oxygen level: Important for ozone protection and amount of breathable air for animals.

 Amount of phosphorus in crust: A critical element for health of bone and muscles.

 Chlorine quantity in atmosphere: Critical for developing electrolyte balance.

 Selenium quantity in crust: A critical mineral as an anti-oxidant.

 Fluorine quantity in crust: A critical mineral for the body.

 Quantity of forest and grass fires: Necessary for revitalization of earth nutrients. However, too many would destroy plant-animal balance.

 Volcanic activity: Necessary for spreading of soil nutrients. However, too much could block out critical sun energy.

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