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Meta Research Bulletin ©2006
Abstract. The hypothesis of the explosion of a number of planets and moons of our
solar system during its 4.6-billion-year history is in excellent accord with
all known observational constraints, even without adjustable parameters or
helper hypotheses. Many of its boldest predictions have been fulfilled. In most
instances, these predictions were judged highly unlikely by the several
standard models the exploded planet hypothesis would replace. And in several
cases, the entire model was at risk to be falsified if the prediction failed.
The successful predictions include: (1) satellites of asteroids; (2) satellites
of comets; (3) salt water in meteorites; (4) “roll marks” leading to boulders
on asteroids; (5) the time and peak rate of the 1999 Leonid meteor storm; (6)
explosion signatures for asteroids; (7) strongly spiked energy parameter for
new comets; (8) distribution of black material on slowly rotating airless
bodies; (9) splitting velocities of comets; (10) the asteroid-like nature of Deep Impact target Comet Tempel 1; (11)
the presence of high-formation-temperature minerals in the Stardust comet dust sample return. In physics and astronomy,
hypotheses are either falsified if their predictions fail, or proved to be of
value if they succeed. By all existing evidence, the exploded planet hypothesis
has proved far more useful than the half-dozen or so hypotheses it would
replace. Among the many important corollaries are these: (a) Perhaps as many as
six former planets of our solar system have exploded over its 4.6-billion-year
history. (b) In particular, Mars is not an original planet, but a former moon
of an exploded planet. (c) As a major player in solar system evolution, the
exploded planet scenario must be considered as the most likely propagation
vehicle for the spread of biogenic organisms. We conclude with brief mention of
three possible planetary explosion mechanisms.
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