Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) up to this pointthe search for extra terrestrial intelligence has come up empty.The reasons why we have not observed other life is up for debateand the subject of the Fermi Paradox. A thought experimentcentering on the existence of alien life is summarized by the:Drake Equation
? = ?? ∙ ?? ∙ ?? ∙ ?? ∙ ?? ∙ ?? ∙ ?
N – number of civilizations in our galaxy with whichcommunication might be possible
Rs - average rate of star formation per year
fp - fraction of formed stars that have planets
ne - for stars with planets, average number of planets that cansupport life
fl - fraction of those planets that actually develop life
fi - fraction of planets bearing life on which intelligent,civilized life, has developed
fc - fraction of these civilizations that developedcommunications
L - length of time over which civilizations release detectablesignals
The equation works its way through some of the necessaryconditions for humans to contact alien life. Some values such as Rsare relatively understood for our galaxy, while others further downthe list cannot be. For the bonus assignment, solve the DrakeEquation by coming up with values for each term in the equationwith a sentence or two explanation for your estimate. There are nohard and fast, right or wrong answers, just give some idea orthought behind the values you come up with.
What is your value for the number of civilizations in our galaxywe might communicate with?
