[Does so]

Anecdotal observations don't count in science. "We are alone" because nothing's been seen to counter the view that there are life-forms beyond our planet. That is, unless you're counting the faces and pyramids on Mars. ;)

An analysis of how Earth came into being is one's first clue. One factoid: if Earth hadn't had a Jupiter to capture errant asteroids, there'd be nothing here to examine.

[jmacusa]

Yeah, I know all about Jupiter, our ‘’cosmic shortstop’’. I have a nice 6-inch Newtonian refractor scope. My backyard looks east towards the Atlantic Ocean(southern NJ). Jupiter was in fine form last month.