SEARCHING FOR THE SAFEST PLACE IN OUR GALAXY
Where is the safest place in our galaxy? That was the quest of a team of Italian astronomers. That’s a very important question. For, in the center of our spiral galaxy (the Milky Way) is a deadly black hole. And for the next 6,500 light years from our galaxy’s core are emissions of deadly gamma rays from exploding stars. These streams of high-energy particles are powerful enough to destroy all DNA and strip atmospheres from planets. So, the core of our galaxy is a deadly place.
But neither would we want our planet to be in one of the Milky Way’s long spiral arms. As far as stellar activity (solar wind and other outbursts of destructive energy) these spiral arms are merely extensions of the galaxy’s core. So, the spiral arm of our galaxy is a dangerous place as well.
But in the last decade or so, we’ve learned that our galaxy is surrounded by a halo of dark matter. In fact, this dark matter accounts for 90% of the mass of our galaxy. Though we don’t know much about the destructive power of dark matter, we can observe what this halo is doing to the small Sagittarius galaxy which orbits our own. The halo of dark matter is shredding Sagittarius. It’s ripping away its stars. Therefore, the outer edges of our galaxy is not the place to be either.
Then where is the safest place in our galaxy? The team of astronomers have determined its location to be at 26,000 light years from our galaxy’s core and in between its spiral arms. This safe haven would shield us from exploding stars, deadly radiation, and the ravages of dark matter. And, with the absence of any nearby stars, our view of the rest of the universe wouldn’t be obscured by intense local light.
Yet, don’t be envious of other planets and solar systems that benefit from being in this “Goldilocks Zone” – where conditions are most favorable to life. For that “enviable” location is right where we already dwell – 26,000 light years from the galaxy’s core and in between its spiral arms. So, not only are the inhabitants of Earth located in our solar system’s “Goldilocks Zone” – not too close nor too far from the sun. They’re also located in our galactic “Goldilocks Zone.”
You see, God’s had it all “thought out” from the beginning. Long before we knew anything about the threats from radioactivity, exploding stars, or dark matter, God had a plan to steer us clear of them. And do you remember that time when you were very sick and you didn’t think you’d pull through? Or, when you just missed having a terrible accident? Or, when you were in financial trouble and you had no idea how you’d pay your bills? God didn’t abandon you, did He? No, God had it all figured out long before the trial came. He knew exactly what He was doing and the solution He would bring.
Do you remember the story from John 6:1-13, when Jesus and the disciples were faced with a hungry crowd of 5,000 men? Jesus turned to Philip and asked him, “Where are we to buy bread that these people may eat?” John explains that Jesus “said this to test him. For He Himself already knew what He was going to do” (John 6:5-6). It was not an emergency, but only a test. And the Lord already had a plan to meet the need and executed it to feed the hungry crowd.
This is why Planet Earth is already in our solar system’s and our galaxy’s Goldilocks Zone – where it’s safe for living things. God planned it that way. And He’s worked out the millions of other details that will ensure our survival and success – until the day He brings us safely into His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18; Jude 24-25).
PRAYER: Dear Father in heaven, into Your loving and capable hands I entrust my soul, my spouse, my children, and all who I love. I trust in Your infinite foreknowledge and inescapable scrutiny to foresee all the coming emergencies and that You’ve already got adequate plans to bring us safely through them all. Only help me to be faithful to You until You bring me safely into heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Information from: https://www.livescience.com/safest-spot-for-life-in-milky-way.html; https://www.universetoday.com/65601/where-is-earth-in-the-milky-way/#:~:text=The%20Solar%20System%20(and%20Earth,the%20center%20and%20the%20edge; https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/10/milky-way-s-shredded-companion-provides-clues-about-dark-matter#:~:text=The%20Milky%20Way%20hasn’t,to%20the%20Sagittarius%20dwarf%20galaxy.&text=That%20makes%20Sagittarius%20a%20sensitive,90%25%20of%20the%20total%20mass)
