Official: paradise on Earth
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.FORGET ALL that angst about global warming. The Earth enjoys a charmed existence that makes life here more comfortable than it probably would be for life forms on any other planet.
Ian Morison, of the Jodrell Bank observatory, who searches for extra- terrestrial radio signals, told the European Radio Astronomers conference that the Earth is "a bit special",thanks to our Sun and Moon.
We might curse the endless summer rain, he said, but since our Moon is "quite big" it stabilises the Earth's rotation, keeps season change consistent and reduces violent temperature changes.
"We don't know how many other life forms have nice, suitable planets like our own," Mr Morison told the conference in Cheshire. "I'm convinced simple life forms are widespread,though how often they develop into technical civilisations is harder to say."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments