[yendu bwam]

The exploration of Mars and Europa will be very interesting. Perhaps they have life, perhaps not. I'm betting that life is rare in the universe, but only on intuition, not on evidence.

Indeed. But I'd bet that life is common in the universe - based partly on intuition, and on the early start to life on this planet.

[js1138]

Indeed. But I'd bet that life is common in the universe - based partly on intuition, and on the early start to life on this planet.

Some folks think the collision that created the moon also created the early atmosphere and conditions that made the start of life possible -- a rare if not unique event.

Also, the size of the moon stabilizes the earth's rotation on its axis, making seasons relatively stable -- a major factor in the particular history of life on earth.

I'm betting that planets with our particular history are rare, and I'm speculating that life without our particular history will be "primative" if it exists at all.