R∗ = The average rate of star formation in our galaxy fₚ = The fraction of those stars that have planets nₑ = The average number of planets that can support life per star fₗ = The fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point fᵢ = The fraction of planets with life that actually go on to develop intelligent life f□ = The fraction of intelligent life that can develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space L = The length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space The component variables of the equation are: The Drake Equation is a bottoms-up probabilistic argument for the likelihood of our being alone in the universe (or more accurately, in our galaxy). That single number, which he called N, represents the number of intelligent, sophisticated alien civilizations in our galaxy, the Milky Way. It takes in a handful of variables and spits out a single number. ![]() The Drake Equation is simply a straightforward product of some inputs. ![]() The math it represents could not be simpler. Today, this formula is known as the Drake Equation, in his honor.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |