IS LIFE SAFE ON PLANET EARTH?

     Having escaped from the false predictions of the end of the world on 21-12-2012, which was supported by many cinemas T V channels and other rumours of  believers, the world has relaxed after 2012. I have already predicted that everything on the end of the world on 21-12-2012 was only much ado about nothing. But there is need to examine how safe we are on this planet earth in the light of the study of the past as well as the probable future. 

     According to the latest theories in astronomy the universe was formed by BIG BANG about 13.7 billion years ago. The radius of the universe was almost zero at the start of  big bang, and the universe started expanding rapidly. The essence of creation seems to be light, and this seems to be produced from tremendous thought force.  The  formula E=mc^2,  of Einstein where E is energy of a material of mass m and c is the velocity of light, indicates that  mass can be converted into energy, which is the process taking place in billions of stars in the universe, releasing light energy mainly. During deep meditation one can find himself surrounded by enormous light. It is also known that the ancient Maharshi’s of India under great meditational powers were able to produce mini matter by thought power. It all indicates that there is some relationship between mind and matter. Perhaps the universe is also created by some great thought force of God.  There is need to investigate the connection between mind and matter scientifically.

     To have a glimpse of the  present size of the universe the following comparison may be useful.

If we assume the average height of human as 1 metre (10 to the power zero), the present size of the universe  is 10 to the power 25 metres (1 followed by 25 zeros metres). The smallest size in the universe is quark (the fundamental particle of atom, is 10 to the power minus 15 metre, i. e. 0. followed by 14 zeros and 1). The solar system is 10 to the power 12 metres and the Earth is 10 to the power 6 metres. It may please be remembered that the above dimensions are only comparison with the height of human as one metre.

     Our solar system including Earth was formed about 5.6 billion years ago. Dinosaurs appeared about 200 million years ago. End of dinosaurs took place about 65 million years ago, due to the impact of two big asteroids rotating around each other, according to latest theory. First  apes  came into existence about 5 million years ago, followed by Homo Sapiens about 195000 years ago. And modern world started about 10000 years ago.

     Ever since its formation Earth is subjected to impact of outside matter. Originally the Moon was only an integral part of  Earth. Long ago when Earth  was in a molten state it was collided with a huge mass of almost of its size, the two merged and the resultant loose debris was scattered to form the Moon. Moon has an important role in the evolution of life on Earth. It stabilizes the tilt of Earth’s axis, which results in suitable seasons on Earth. The evolution of life depends on long time stability of climate. So Moon plays a definite role in the evolution of life on Earth.

     According to some astronomical study, the Earth is generally hit by an asteroid in every few hundred thousand years sufficient to cause great damage to Earth and life on Earth. In spite of several efforts to detect such asteroids by human technological devices, a few asteroids passed closely to Earth, within a distance of few tens of thousands of miles, well within the orbit of the Moon , undetected, but only detected after they have passed the Earth. Any one of these is capable of destroying life on Earth, as a collision with a body only a few miles across is disastrous to humanity. Recently on 15-02-2013, an asteroid , which was detected earlier passed very close to Earth. On the same day a meteorite of about 10 tonnes weight blasted over Rsssia about 24 kilometers above Earth causing injuries several on Earth and even shaking buildings, but without loss of life.

     Besides such impacts there are other factors to be considered. One such thing is eruption of super volcanoes. A super volcono is discovered under Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Such eruptions will result in planet wide cloud of debris in atmosphere, obstructing in sunlight , destroying plant and animal life on Earth. Another is man made neclear war, for which we may lack civilization to stop it.

     Whatever we may escape, the ultimate unavoidable end is due to Sun only. When the Sun uses up all its nuclear fuel, it contracts putting more pressure on its core and raising its temperature enormously. Accordingly a billion years from now Earth becomes not suitable for living due to adverse climate. By about three billion years even the oceans get evaporated and Earth gradually turns molten. The Sun looses mass as it evolves into a red giant and its gravitational pull will decrease and thereby the planets go away in their orbits . The Earth will go out to a distance of about 120 million miles but not enough to escape from the intensive heat of massively swollen Sun. The Sun expands beyond the present orbit of  Earth, but cannot catch up the new orbit of Earth.

 Ultimately the Sun collapses under its own gravity and becomes a white dwarf of enormous density almost to the size of planet Earth after ten billion years from now. A tea spoonful of material of Sun now will weigh several tonnes. By this time the Earth will reach a distance of 170 million miles from the Sun. The Sun will end its life as a tiny dead white dwarf, still orbited by its remaining planets.