1. Earth had a highly elliptical orbit, like Mercury? What would be different about Earth and life on it? 2. The solar system passed through a cloud of gas and dust that was beginning to collapse to...

1. Earth had a highly elliptical orbit, like Mercury? What would be different about Earth and life on it?

2. The solar system passed through a cloud of gas and dust that was beginning to collapse to form a new star and planet system? What might happen to Earth, and how would the passage affect the appearance of the sky?