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To: ZULU
There is also the "moon factor" which impacts the earths tilt and also provides other benefits of which I can't recall.

The tilt effect is the moderation of swings in axis inclination -- makes for a stable, benign climate. Also, a big moon creates tides, allowing marine life to emerge onto dry land.

Problem is that our Moon is a freak, created during a giant planetary-scale collision 4.5 billion years ago. Although it can happen (clearly), it's not a likely event.

73 posted on 07/30/2004 12:54:33 PM PDT by Cincinatus (Omnia relinquit servare Republicam)
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To: Cincinatus
Problem is that our Moon is a freak, created during a giant planetary-scale collision 4.5 billion years ago. Although it can happen (clearly), it's not a likely event.

True, But these big Jupiter+ size planets that orbit closer to their suns could have earth size/like moons. It might be rare that life forms on it's own separate planet. I am just guessing that orbiting a big Jupiter+ size planet would keep a body just as if not more stable than the moon does with the earth (Well assuming the earth like moons orbit far enough away to avoid becoming like Io).

151 posted on 07/31/2004 9:32:05 AM PDT by qam1 (Tommy Thompson is a Fat-tubby, Fascist)
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