Here is an explanation, with sources, about how the Earth's biosphere, which constitutes only a small fraction of the planet's mass, holds all known life in the universe:
1. **Concentration of Life-Forming Elements**
- Earth’s biosphere is rich in essential elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are the building blocks of life. These elements make up only a small fraction of the planet's mass, but they form complex molecules like proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, which are critical for the functioning of living organisms.
- Reference: *Schneider, S. H. (2002). The Earth system: physical and chemical dimensions of global environmental change. In *Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change* (Vol. 1, pp. 4–13). John Wiley & Sons.*
2. **The Thin Biosphere**
- The biosphere is a very thin layer on the Earth's surface that includes the oceans, land, and lower atmosphere. Despite Earth's total mass being 5.97 x 10^24 kg, the biomass (total living matter) constitutes a small fraction of that, with a majority of the planet's mass consisting of the mantle and core.
- Reference: *Bar-On, Y. M., Phillips, R., & Milo, R. (2018). The biomass distribution on Earth. *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, 115(25), 6506-6511. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1711842115*
3. **Unique Conditions Supporting Life**
- Earth's location in the "Goldilocks Zone" is crucial for supporting liquid water, a key component for life. Additionally, the stable climate, protective atmosphere, and magnetic field create an environment that has allowed life to flourish over billions of years.
- Despite the vast number of potentially habitable planets in the universe, Earth remains the only confirmed planet where life exists. The rarity of life is still a subject of scientific study, with the Fermi Paradox highlighting the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial life and the lack of evidence for it.
- Reference: *Ward, P. D., & Brownlee, D. (2000). *Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe*. Springer.*
These references provide a foundation for understanding the small fraction of Earth’s mass that supports all known life and the conditions that make Earth unique in the universe.
wow that von Neumann guy, I had no idea. Read that piece on him; I'm always interested in what these guys were like when they weren't braniac-ing. Seemed like a normal guy who liked to eat and party too much (oh and read books while driving)
Another fascinating collection of factoids, Paul! We, here, at FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE did a recent dig into the pre-Steely Dan/ABC Publishing staff-songwriting duo of Becker and Fagen, and discovered that Chevy Chase (after Leather Canary) was in a band (not with the two soon-to-be-Dans) called Chamaeleon Church (here's the link, which includes a photo of Chamaeleon Church with drummer, Chase): https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-archaeology-1971-barbra-streisand?utm_source=publication-search
Interesting how that Snopes piece didn't mention Chamaeleon Church at all, and, unlike Leather Canary (who never set foot into a studio), Chamaeleon Church actually recorded...the next year, in '68! I guess the Snopes folks were just focusing on a band that featured both Becker and Fagen AND Chase. https://www.discogs.com/master/335340-Chamaeleon-Church-Chamaeleon-Church
Explain this one - "Earth's thin, 40-kilometre (25-mile) deep crust—just one percent of Earth's mass—contains all known life in the Universe...."
All known life in the Universe???
Here is an explanation, with sources, about how the Earth's biosphere, which constitutes only a small fraction of the planet's mass, holds all known life in the universe:
1. **Concentration of Life-Forming Elements**
- Earth’s biosphere is rich in essential elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are the building blocks of life. These elements make up only a small fraction of the planet's mass, but they form complex molecules like proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, which are critical for the functioning of living organisms.
- Reference: *Schneider, S. H. (2002). The Earth system: physical and chemical dimensions of global environmental change. In *Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change* (Vol. 1, pp. 4–13). John Wiley & Sons.*
2. **The Thin Biosphere**
- The biosphere is a very thin layer on the Earth's surface that includes the oceans, land, and lower atmosphere. Despite Earth's total mass being 5.97 x 10^24 kg, the biomass (total living matter) constitutes a small fraction of that, with a majority of the planet's mass consisting of the mantle and core.
- Reference: *Bar-On, Y. M., Phillips, R., & Milo, R. (2018). The biomass distribution on Earth. *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, 115(25), 6506-6511. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1711842115*
3. **Unique Conditions Supporting Life**
- Earth's location in the "Goldilocks Zone" is crucial for supporting liquid water, a key component for life. Additionally, the stable climate, protective atmosphere, and magnetic field create an environment that has allowed life to flourish over billions of years.
- Reference: *Kasting, J. F., & Catling, D. C. (2003). Evolution of a habitable planet. *Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics*, 41(1), 429-463. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.astro.41.011802.094855*
4. **Rarity of Life in the Universe**
- Despite the vast number of potentially habitable planets in the universe, Earth remains the only confirmed planet where life exists. The rarity of life is still a subject of scientific study, with the Fermi Paradox highlighting the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial life and the lack of evidence for it.
- Reference: *Hart, M. H. (1975). The Evolution of Habitable Worlds. *Icarus*, 24(4), 557–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(75)90142-4*
- Reference: *Ward, P. D., & Brownlee, D. (2000). *Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe*. Springer.*
These references provide a foundation for understanding the small fraction of Earth’s mass that supports all known life and the conditions that make Earth unique in the universe.
Thanks for the question, Angela!
Whew! Wow - thanks for such a detailed reply - wasn't even expecting an answer! Isn't it fascinating!
almost mind blowing, eh...You are welcome!
Always great fun!
Thank Ellen!
wow that von Neumann guy, I had no idea. Read that piece on him; I'm always interested in what these guys were like when they weren't braniac-ing. Seemed like a normal guy who liked to eat and party too much (oh and read books while driving)
interesting guy, for sure.
Another fascinating collection of factoids, Paul! We, here, at FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE did a recent dig into the pre-Steely Dan/ABC Publishing staff-songwriting duo of Becker and Fagen, and discovered that Chevy Chase (after Leather Canary) was in a band (not with the two soon-to-be-Dans) called Chamaeleon Church (here's the link, which includes a photo of Chamaeleon Church with drummer, Chase): https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-archaeology-1971-barbra-streisand?utm_source=publication-search
Thanks!
I did some verification also. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steely-dan-chevy-chase/
Interesting how that Snopes piece didn't mention Chamaeleon Church at all, and, unlike Leather Canary (who never set foot into a studio), Chamaeleon Church actually recorded...the next year, in '68! I guess the Snopes folks were just focusing on a band that featured both Becker and Fagen AND Chase. https://www.discogs.com/master/335340-Chamaeleon-Church-Chamaeleon-Church
Snopes also referenced “The Very Bad Jazz Band”. But I'm sure if they recorded together it would be unquestionable. Thanks for your reply!
…40 deep and still strong with gems…i need into that hair contest..over and out!…
Roger, thx
I can still hear Jeff Tracey, in Thunderbirds, saying ‘Over and out’….
Can’t be wrong, then, can it? 😊
He probably said ‘Roger, Wilco’, too.
Now I might have to check, and it’s your fault 😉
Nice, don't shoot the messenger 😃
Well, at least one country found a use for cockroaches!
👍
Yes, but can Von Neumann answer if penguins have knees? 🤔
hmm? Do they Von Jim?