A second example is the set of conditions that makes distant cosmic observations possible: an unusually transparent atmosphere, a stable planetary rotation, our precise position within the galaxy (beneath the plane of a galactic arm, with clear lines of sight), and the relative isolation of the Milky Way itself. These conditions all optimize our opportunities to observe, measure, and understand the diverse structures and composition of the universe. As one astronomer writes, “We occupy the best overall place for observation in the Milky Way galaxy which is itself the best type of galaxy to
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