The fact that our solar system is located on the outer edge of the Milky Way does not significantly impact life on Earth. The overall structure and position of our solar system within the galaxy have relatively little influence on the conditions necessary for life to exist.
The habitability of a planet depends on various factors such as its distance from its host star, the presence of water, the composition of the atmosphere, and many other complex factors. These conditions are primarily determined by the characteristics of the planet itself and its star, rather than the specific location of the solar system within the galaxy.
While the outer regions of galaxies like the Milky Way may have slightly different stellar populations and potentially higher levels of cosmic radiation compared to the galactic center, these factors are not significant enough to directly impact life on Earth. The Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field provide substantial protection against cosmic radiation, and the overall distribution of habitable environments within a galaxy is expected to be widespread.
It's worth noting that the specific location of a star system within a galaxy may have indirect influences on long timescales. For example, the motion of stars within a galaxy can affect the gravitational interactions of comets and asteroids, which could potentially influence the frequency of large impact events on planets. However, these effects are relatively minor and occur over very long timescales.
In summary, while our solar system's position at the edge of the Milky Way brings certain differences in terms of the stellar population and cosmic radiation, these factors do not significantly impact life on Earth. The habitability of a planet primarily depends on local conditions, such as its distance from its star and the presence of essential elements and compounds.