Intelligent DesignWould it not be strange if a universe without purpose

accidentally created humans who are so obsessed with purpose.

-Sir John Templeton

Cosmology

Cosmology• A branch of astronomy that

deals with the general structure and evolution of the universe.

The Kalam Argument• First introduced by Aristotle• Popularized by al-Ghazali

I. Whatever begins to exist has a cause.

II. The universe had a beginning.

III. Therefore the universe has a cause.

Empirical Evidence• Something never comes from nothing.

• Quantum Theory proposes vacuum fluctuations allow matter to materialize from nothing.

• General Relativity – 1915– Doesn’t allow for a static universe, it

should either be exploding or imploding.

• Big Bang Theory proposed – 1920’s– Predicted that the universe is

expanding and was at one point a singularity.

Further Empirical EvidenceEdwin Hubble and red shift – 1929

The universe is expanding.First empirical evidence

Cosmic Background Radiation – 1940’s

George Gamow predicted if the big bang happened then the background temperature should be just above absolute zero

Light Elements such as hydrogen and deuterium cannot be created in stars. The temperatures required to create them would be in the billions. Much hotter than any star.

Light Elements

Physics

Fine TuningGenerally referring to the extraordinary balancing of the fundamental laws and parameters of physics and initial conditions of the universe.

Fred Hoyle – 1950’s

Amazed by the precise process by which Carbon and Oxygen are produced in a certain ratio.

A 1% change in the Strong Nuclear Force would have a massive impact on the production of oxygen and carbon resulting in a lifeless universe.

Gravity

• Imagine a ruler that goes from one end of the universe to the other and is broken up in one inch increments.

• On one end you have gravity being the weakest, on the other end you have the strong nuclear force being the strongest.

• Now imagine you move it up by one inch. Even though this is a small change it would have catastrophic impacts.

Other examples of fine tuning

• Cosmological Constant– If Large and Positive it would be a

repulsive force preventing the formation of stars.

– If Large and Negative it would be an attractive force reversing the expansion of the universe.

• Mass Difference of Neutrons and Protons– A very small increase in the mass of a

neutron and nuclear fusion in stars would stop.

Further examples of fine tuning

• Strong Nuclear Force– A 50% decrease and it would be too

weak to prevent the repulsive force between like charges.

– This would tear apart all atoms except hydrogen.

• Precise conversion of hydrogen into helium– The slightest change and the universe

would either be out of hydrogen or consist of nothing but hydrogen.

Astronomy

Life• Carbon and water are essential elements

for forming life. However you also need a planetary environment tuned for it.

• Deep sea organism that need to regulate their metabolism rely on oxygen.

• Even in inhospitable environments oxygen is required for life. The only forms of life that do not require oxygen to survive are bacteria that breath methane.

• The oxygen comes from the surface life and marine algae . The oxygen is mixed in with the ocean and transported to deeper waters.

Globular ClustersGlobular clusters contain “ancient stars” and were formed very early on. Containing a very low abundance of heavy elements they consist of mostly hydrogen and helium. They are so densely packed that finding a habitable planet would be nearly impossible.The gravitational tug of the surrounding stars would create an elliptical orbit giving a planet extreme highs and lows.The lack of heavy elements prevents any earth like planets from forming.

Spiral GalaxiesSpiral galaxies have the greatest chance of creating a stable environment for civilizations.Creating a stable environment takes more than just a star and a planet. You also need to be situated in the right place of a galaxy at the right distance with the right star.Places to avoid would be the spiral arms, the inner regions and the outer regions of a galaxy.

Composition

Inner Region• The inner regions of spiral galaxies

contain supermassive black holes. While mostly dormant and inactive, if anything gets near or falls in it will be torn apart by its immense gravity.

• Anything in the inner regions are also subject to large amounts of radiation from the supermassive black hole. Mainly in the form of gamma rays and X-rays.

• Supernova are also more frequent near the center of galaxies. Releasing further amounts of radiation.

Outer Region• Star formation near the outer regions of

spiral galaxies progressed more slowly resulting in a lower abundance of heavier elements.

• This low abundance of heavy elements decreases the likelihood of having any terrestrial planets capable of sustaining life.

• The composition of gasses changes as you move from the inner to the outer regions seeing higher amounts of heavy elements close to the center of a galaxy and less as you get further away.

Spiral Arms• The spiral arms of a spiral galaxy

contain many nebulae. These are regions of active star formation.

• Supernova are seen more frequently here are not a safe haven for planets.

• Inner Regions - More dangerous due to exploding stars and black holes.

• Outer Regions – Less dangerous but not enough heavy elements to form planets.

• Spiral Arms – To much activity through star formation and supernova to create a stable environment.

Elliptical Galaxies

Elliptical Galaxies• Elliptical galaxies are much less

massive than spiral galaxies and contain a lower amount heavy elements preventing many earth like planets from forming.

• Stars in elliptical galaxies will visit every region of the galaxy decreasing the chances of a life harboring planet.

• Globular clusters and elliptical galaxies face many of the same problems that prevent the formation of earth like planets.

Irregular Galaxies

Irregular Galaxies• Irregular galaxies are often distorted

and ripped apart with supernova going off throughout the galaxy.

• There are no places in the galaxy with fewer supernova going off and avoiding events such as gamma ray bursts.

• As we continue to learn more about galaxies and discover more threats the chances of a habitable planet become less likely.

StarsRed Dwarfs• Most light in the red spectrum and

reduces effectiveness of photosynthesis.• Planet could potentially become tidally

locked.• While general luminosity is low it’s solar

flares are equally powerful to the sun.

Sun• Unusually rich in heavy metals

compared to other stars of the same age and in this region of the galaxy.

• Main sequence will last for about 10 billion years.

• The sun happens to have the right mass, composition, orbit, galactic location, and the right distance from earth.

The Earth and Moon

The Moon• Stabilizes tilt of earth and contributes to

the tides on earth which bring nutrients from the continents into the oceans.

• Assists in keeping the large scale ocean circulation going.

EarthThe atmosphere and magnetic field protects

life on earth by shielding it from harmful radiation.

Large enough to retain heat in the core and drive the mantle convection which powers plate tectonics.

Land helps regulate the salt levels in the oceans and global temperatures.

Plate tectonics are only found on earth and helps balance greenhouse gasses and regulate temperature.

Credits

• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Hubble_ultra_deep_field.jpg• http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/cosmological-argument.htm• http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Inside-the-Eagle-Nebula.jpg• http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/Education/CosmologyEssays/images/WMAP_skymap.jpg• http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/laserguide/spectrum.jpg• http://www.weirdwarp.com/wp-content/gallery/images-of-the-universe-from-around-the-web/dumb-

bell-or-butterfly.jpghttp://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/images/publicationjpg/heic0602a.jpg• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/0/00/20090620093123!Crab_Nebula.jpg• http://www.atpm.com/17.02/astronomy/images/Barred%20Spiral%20Galaxy%20NGC%201300.jpg• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/2/2a/20090619174741!

Eta_Carinae_Nebula_1.jpg• http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/chess/science/images/phare_vent_hq.jpg• http://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/images/screen/opo0840d.jpg• http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0806/M51HST-GendlerM.jpg• http://api.ning.com/files/3vrxTCw6TBwTp1pQ3h9qJnVKXM2Ei9G4fKYp9k-

OLnul13bfhRHjZO6Sbcryew3iENwUQMZ5RqL4aaZ6I0BBX13*zKZDtl*-/SombreroGalaxyM104.jpg

• http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Messier-82-M82.jpg• http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Our-Sun.jpg• http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01588/earth-huge_1588522a.jpg• The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel