If you're still wondering whether or not the 'giant ball of fire' in the sky has special characteristics that enabled the appearance and evolution of life on Earth, you should probably know that the Sun is about as special as several billion other stars in the visible universe. At least that's what ANU astronomers say following a comprehensive comparison of the Sun with other stars, fueling even more the idea that the universe may be filled with life.

And what about Earth? Well, as it turns out the answer to this question remains open, since no other Earth-like planets have ever been discovered, says PhD researcher Jose Robles and Dr Charles Lineweaver from the Planetary Science Institute at ANU.