The Drake Equation Noah Weiss Basics n n

The Drake Equation Noah Weiss

Basics n n The Drake Equation is a hypothetical equation created in an attempt to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. It was developed by Dr. Frank Drake in the 1960’s.

Frank Drake n n n Author of the Drake Equation. Founder of the Search of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Primary field is radio astronomy, which is the branch of astronomy in which celestial bodies and phenomena in space are studied by examining their radio wave emissions.

The Equation n The Drake Equation is: n N = (R*)(fp)(ne)(fl)(fi)(ft)(L)

The Variables • N is the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might expect to be able to communicate • R* is the rate of star formation in our galaxy • fp is the fraction of those stars which have planets • ne is average number of planets which can potentially support life per star that has planets • fl is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop life • f is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop intelligent life • fc is the fraction of the above which are willing and able to communicate • L is the expected lifetime of such a civilization

Current Drake Equation n n n n http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake. html R*=10/year fp=. 5 ne=2 fl=1 fi==. 01 fc=1 L=10000 N=10000

Is there life in the universe? n Current efforts to find life in out solar system are concentrated on Jupiter’s Moon Europa, which has a layer of liquid water under its surface, and examining meteors.

Works Cited n n n Microsoft Encarta, Exobiology http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake. html http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/SETI http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Drake_e quation http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Frank_D rake