The Blog

Anthropic Constant 2

The small window the astronauts must hit reflects the exacting standards by which the universe has been designed.

While the atmosphere presents a reentry problem for the astronauts, its present qualities are absolutely essential for life on earth.

The degree of transparency of the atmosphere is an anthropic constant. It is defined as the amount of absorption our atmosphere contains.

If the atmosphere were less transparent, no enough solar radiation would reach the earth’s surface. If it were more transparent, we would be bombarded with too much solar radiation down here.

Anthropic Constant 3

Anthropic Constant 3 is the Moon-Earth Gravitational Interaction.

As the astronauts begin to sling around the moon, they encounter another anthropic constant.

This one regards the gravitational interference that the earth has with the moon.

If the interaction were greater that it is currently, tidal effects on the oceans, atmosphere, and rotational period would be too severe.

If the moon were 20x closer, it would exert a gravitational force of 400x greater that what we are used to. It would cause catastrophic flooding and cause major cities like New York City to be completely submerged under water.

If it were less, orbital changes would cause climatic instabilities.

No matter the deviation, life on earth would be impossible.

Following their close encounter with the moon, the astronauts are finally heading home. However, another problem arises.

The delicate living conditions inside the spacecraft are being contaminated. As oxygen is being consumed, the astronauts are producing a new problem simply by exhaling. Carbon dioxide is beginning to reach dangerous levels inside the ships. If they cannot find a way to change the carbon dioxide filters in the LM, the three astronauts will be poisoning to their own deaths.

How are carbon dioxide levels an anthropic constant?