Since the Earth is around 5 billion years old I can't help but wonder what the chances are that a solar eclipse can take place at the time when inteligent beings are able to view it. From Earth's perspective the Sun is 400 times further away then the moon but the moon is 400 times smaller meaning we view both sun and moon as same size. Science estimates that in under 600 million years a total eclipse will not be possible due to Moon moving further away together with the Sun expanding.
Is it just coincidence that this takes place at the time when the human being species exist. What are the chances of this hapening.
2007-10-17 22:22:35 · 7 answers · asked by Tony W 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The chances are probably pretty low, but remember there are millions of suns! Other species on other planets have probably witnessed one with a different sun.
2007-10-17 22:39:53 · answer #1 · answered by Zach-7 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd say the chances are very low, especially considering the large size of the moon compared to our planet size. It's one of the largest in the solar system. It's also Worth baring in mind the moon's origins - it was probably another planet altogether or a portion of Mars that careered into the Earth during the early formation of the solar system. Such an impact must have nearly destroyed Earth, decreasing the odds further of our large solitary moon/ smallish planet scenario. However, all other signs in our Solar System and Cosmology point to an order based only on scientific laws and randomization. There will naturally be coincidences, and I believe this is one. I will say that I find the ratio very odd.
2007-10-17 22:56:43 · answer #2 · answered by Golgi Apparatus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind that, during a solar eclipse, what we see is the solar corona which extends millions of miles into space around the sun. So, whether the lunar disk JUST covers the sun, or whether it is significantly larger than the sun, we would still see the same effect -- the corona would STILL project beyond the lunar disk. The lunar disk would have to be almost twice the size of the sun to block out the corona as well.
So, it's not SO much of a coincidence.
2007-10-18 01:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by dansinger61 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What a novel idea. But the chances are pretty damned good that it's happening on several million -other- worlds containing intelligent life, orbiting around other stars in other parts of this galaxy (and the uncountable billions of other galaxies), so it really isn't all that unique, now is it?
Doug
2007-10-17 22:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the eclipses are God's (if he exists) way of winking at us!
2007-10-18 01:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by Eratosthenes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Human beings won't exist as due to evolution of species.
Therefore no coincidence
2007-10-17 22:37:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I really didn't get you, but you got me real interested!
2007-10-17 22:34:04 · answer #7 · answered by YA!!! 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋