[Knalus]

Interesting theory on evolution of life in solar systems.

http://mnrasl.oxfordjournals.org/con...sl.sls003.full

http://updates.io9.com/post/34832794...s-why-life-may

Our asteroid belt, which is situated between Jupiter and Mars, has traditionally been seen as something of a nuisance. Every once in awhile one of these rocks dislodges itself and heads straight for Earth, what often results in a cataclysmic impact. But ironically, as a new study from the University of Colorado suggests, we may owe our very existence to these chunks of displaced rocks. And according to the researchers, our asteroid belt appears to be unique as far as these things go — what may be contributing to the dearth of life in the galaxy.

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Despite the astronomical chaos produced by impact events, asteroids delivered water, organic compounds, and heavy elements to Earth — what are all crucial for the emerge of life. They were also likely responsible for the formation of our moon....

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And what’s fascinating about Martin and Livio’s analysis is their suggestion that every solar system has an asteroid belt at roughly the exact same location just beyond the snow line. What varies, however, is whether or not a solar system has a gas giant to mould its composition. The scientists theorize that, owing to Jupiter, our asteroid belt is 1% the size of its original mass — a kind of Goldilocks figure that may be a key factor to life emerging and prospering in the solar system.