TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information
The earliest optical image of galaxies demonstrates that the early universe was inhospitable for life, pointing to a planned arrival for life and, eventually, humanity. Using the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), a team of astronomers has demonstrated that a large fraction of galaxies merged in the early universe (8-10 billion years ago). While many other factors argue that life must have emerged later in the universe, the high fraction of galactic mergers confirms that stable planetary systems would have indeed been rare. As galaxies merge, gravitational interactions between stars dramatically increase, catastrophically disrupting any existing stable planetary systems. However, these mergers do serve a purpose by fueling star formation, which produces the elements necessary for life. RTB’s creation model predicts such fine-tuning of the timing of life’s introduction.
A. N. Straughn et al., “Tracing Galaxy Assembly: Tadpole Galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field,” Astrophysical Journal 639 (2006): 724-30.
