Cheap Astronomy - Dear CA 085: Questioning Assumptions

Don’t presume to assume… – Did the Universe really start from a single point?  The observable expansion and cooling of the Universe over time does lend itself to the idea that if you wind the clock back far enough then everything must have started from a single point. – How unusual is the Earth?  It’s probably best to start by asking how unusual the Solar System is. The many stellar systems with orbiting exoplanets we are finding out there are mostly nothing like it.   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at [email protected].