"Abstract. We report the first results of a research program to explore the sensitivity of the orbits of Oort cloud comets to changes in the strength of the Galactic tides in the plane of the disk and also to changes in the mass of the host star. We performed 2D simulations that confirm that the effects of the tides on comet orbits are sensitive to a star’s distance from the Galactic center. A comet cloud closer to the Galactic center than the Sun will have comet perihelia reduced to the region of the inner planets more effectively by the planar tides alone. Similar results are found for a star of smaller mass. We also show how this phenomenon of comet injection persists for a set of alternative Galactic potential models. These preliminary results suggest a fruitful line of research, one that aims to generalize the study of comet cloud dynamics to systems different from the Solar System. In particular, it will allow us to study the roles played by comet clouds in defining the boundaries of the Galactic Habitable Zone."
Autopoiesis?
Many years ago Maturana and Varela propsed a kind of self-regulation process, with this name to explain life. Now Guillermo González is using it to check how much alive inorganic matter is.
The abstract above is from:
Effects of the Planar Galactic Tides and Stellar Mass on Comet Cloud Dynamics
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5 comments:
This is a very deep paper. What's missing is a real tangible physical reason for it that would give them direction.
Like, far from equilibrium dissipative systems:
Into The Cool
The more complex the structure the more effective is the energy dissemination. Populations are better in this respect than single individuals; ecosystems even more so, and most effective of all -- so far -- are human high-tech societies.
Thus, goes the argument, the second law of thermodynamics is not contrary to the existence of life; rather, it is the cause of life. That law drives evolution to higher levels of complexity and to more sophisticated societies and technologies for the sole purpose of disseminating energy gradients.
Course, Sagan and Schneider don't have the whole story, but they did make the basic observation that gets you there.
From what I understand of Gonzalez' motivation, there is bias for life. If he can prove that, I'm sure not only him, but the rest of us, will make plenty of explanations.
You frustrate me, Eduardo.
There is a huge difference between theoretical extensions that are based on a complete theory, which supercede the innumerable possibilities of these "other" explanations that you speak of.
This is the position that I am maintaining until somebody gives me a simple refutation of the point that I have made numerous times to theorists.
Consider the direct effect that us measly little humans have on the symmetry of the universe when the LHC starts creating particles, because this process will be increasing tension between the vacuum and ordinary matter via the simple mechanism that I have repeatedly described to you.
These are asymmetric transitions whose thermodynamic effect will lead directly to a big bang, (as well as a direct link to the anthropic principle and an evolutionary universe as an energy conservation law), and the resulting structure *would*, no doubt, leave physicists wondering why this universe is a lot like our own.
But again they would not be able to answer from first principles because they can't bring themselves to recognize anthropic-like principles, nor can they tear themselves from cutting edge concerns to look seriously at physics that says that the universe isn't as complicated as they wish that it was.
I don't know what else to say to get you to see the value of what I've come to you with, but I appreciate your time, regardless.
These are asymmetric transitions whose thermodynamic effect will lead directly to a big bang
I should clarify that this effect is cumulative to include other dissipative systems like us that are predicted to exist in other similarly developed habitable zones by direct intergalactic extension of the goldilocks balances, as well as the contribution to the process that is made by black holes, and supernovae.
I appreciate your patience.
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