MARS
Sometimes the shortest path to learn about the scientific details of our planet Earth is to study similar details on other planets where the phenomena under investigation are simpler to investigate and understand. Mars is a good example of such a pathway. It also is a good example of how the study of other planets can expose hidden evidences for supernatural design in our own planet.
In a recent issue of Science a NASA astronomer, Norbert Schorghofer, develops a detailed model for the past forty ice ages on Mars.1 Using measurements from satellites orbiting Mars, Schorghofer identified three different kinds of ice at the Martian poles: on top a dry layer, on the bottom a massive ice sheet, and in the middle a layer of pore ice. He also identified a large amount of subsurface ice at mid-latitudes.
Schorghofer demonstrated that the mid-latitude subsurface ice was well explained by large intermittent increases in the tilt of Mars’ rotation axis. His explanation implied that, unlike Earth, the main driving force behind Mars’ ice ages was changes in the tilt of its rotation axis. Schorghofer’s model showed that these changes were so dramatic and so rapid as to establish that over the past five million years Mars suffered forty ice age events, each event resulting in a wholesale climate change for the entire Martian surface.
If anything like the Martian experience occurred on Earth, all advanced and large-bodied life would be wiped out. Schorghofer’s study shows that dramatic and rapid climate changes by astronomical forcing (changes in the orbital and rotational characteristics) are the norm for planets. What makes Earth so extraordinary is that the variation in the tilt of its rotation axis is virtually nil and changes in the eccentricity and inclination of its orbit are very small compared to the other solar system planets. Evidently, Earth’s orbital and rotational features have been exquisitely fine-tuned to allow for the long-term survival of advanced life on its surface.
The degree of fine-tuning design in Earth’s orbital and rotational characteristics has become increasingly apparent and contributes to the conclusion that Earth and the solar system have been supernaturally and superintelligently manufactured to make human life and human civilization possible. Thanks to Schorghofer’s work, it should not be too long before scientists uncover even more evidence of God’s handiwork in the design of Earth and the solar system.
- Norbert Schorghofer, “Dynamics of Ice Ages on Mars,” Nature 449 (September 13, 2007): 192-94.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Huh. A rather interesting conclusion to draw from his research. I would say it is clear that the reason life appeared is that this particular world happened to fit all the necessary charistics. If Mars had been the planet that had the setup to sustain life we would be there, and the religious folk would be saying that Mars was clearly designed. That is just bad analysis. Life arises where life can arise. the fact that we exist is simply the end result of a suitable planet given sufficient time. there are certainly others out there… concluding that earth was designed for us because there is life gets it all backwards. We are here (and religious people can make bad assumptions) simply because earth happens to be one of those places in the universe where life as we know it can safely exist.
And of course that safety is fleeting, as well. If earth were designed, there might be fewer asteroids to bombard the surface, and less vulcanism and earthquakes to kill us, and of course the temperate zones might be larger. And maybe more than 28-odd percent of the planet would be livable. (The oceans are not too terribly conducive to human life).
Just rather bad synthesis all around. Oh well.
- ID