Page 58 - A Chain of Miracles

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THE LOCATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN THE GALAXY
The location of our solar system in the Milky Way is the
product of awe-inspiring order and flawless design. Its trajec-
tory is far from the center of the galaxy, and outside its spiraling
arms.
Stars and planets in a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way are
structured around the bloated core. The spiraling arms move
away from the center of the galaxy at a consistent angle and
plane. The spaces between these arms contain only a negligent

number of solar systems—and our own solar system is one of
these rare examples.
Is it somehow relevant that our solar system is located be-
tween the spiral arms of the galaxy?
First, it means that we are far removed from the gases and
other debris contained in the spiraling arms, giving us a clean,
clear view of the universe from where we are. Had our solar sys-
tem been located inside these spiral arms, our view would have
been considerably obscured. As Michael Denton writes in his

book Nature’s Destiny:
What is so striking is that the cosmos appears to be not just
supremely fit for our own being and for our biological adapta-
tions, but also for our understanding... Because of the position of
our solar system on the edge of the galactic rim, we can gaze far-
ther into the night to distant galaxies and gain knowledge of the
overall structure of the cosmos. Were we positioned in the center
of a galaxy, we would never look on the beauty of a spiral galaxy
nor would we have any idea of the structure of our universe. 25

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