2006-06-27 12:19:19 · 6 answers · asked by Christopher P 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Drake equation was put together by Frank Drake, cofounder of SETI, in the early 60s. It's an order of magnitude estimate of the number of intelligent civilisations there might be in our galaxy.
The equation itself and the meaning of the various components can be found here: -> http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/SETI/drake_equation.html
When you look at the equation you'll immediately notice the number of unknowns in it, hence the "order of magnitude estimate". It's not a rigorously derived equation, rather it's best used as a methodology for thinking systematically about the likelihood of finding intelligent life elsewhere in our galaxy.
Hope this helps!
The Chicken
2006-06-27 12:26:24 · answer #1 · answered by Magic Chicken 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Drake equation is an "approximation" of the probability that there is life elsewhere in our galaxy, the "Milky Way". In 1961, Frank Drake tried to honestly and academically estimate the probability that there were other forms of life "out there somewhere" by compiling an equation that successively summed the probabilities we could reasonably estimate.
The equation is:
N = N* fp ne fl fi fc fL
where
N* represents the number of stars in the Milky Way (perhaps 100 billion)
fp is the fraction of our stars that have planets. (at least 25%)
ne is the number of planets for each star that can sustain life (maybe 1?)
fl is the fraction of planets in ne where life actually evolves
fi is the fraction of fl where intelligent life evolves
fc is the fraction of fi that try to communicate with others
fL is fraction of the planet's life during which the communicating civilizations live
It is actually quite hard to honestly estimate these numbers without coming up with something greater than zero, so the implications are inevitable!
Maybe god doesn't think humans are that special after all!
2006-06-27 19:33:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The Drake Equation was developed by Frank Drake in 1961 as a way to focus on the factors which determine how many intelligent, communicating civilizations there are in our galaxy. "
2006-06-27 19:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by Louise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very informative answer by Magic Chicken
2014-01-04 08:05:07 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it just an impossible equation to be solve; to find out how may planet or star in our whole universe.
2006-06-27 21:12:55 · answer #5 · answered by slamka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation
2006-06-27 19:22:46 · answer #6 · answered by cmhurley64 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋