2006-09-12 06:31:28 · 12 answers · asked by Jones 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The link belows details the Drake equation, an estimation of the probability of extra terrestrial life developing civilizations on other planets, developed by Frank Drake:
Nt = Ns * Fp * Ne * Fl * Fi * Fc * FL
Each of these terms represents a statisical probability, based on our best guesses, as to the conditions required to sustain a Civilization.
Ns - The stars in the system under question
Fp - Fraction of stars that have planets
Ne - Number of Habitable Planets per Planetary System
Fl - Fraction of Habitable planets where Life would evolve
Fi - Fraction of Fl where Intelligent Life evolves
Fc - Fraction of Intelligent life forms that communicate
FL - Fraction of the planet's life-span that the Communicating Civilization lives.
Frank Drake believed these ratios to be the most mitigating factors in determining the probablility of other civilizations existing on other planets. You can pick whichever terms you want to keep, to determine the LEVEL of life you are looking for. (I.E. you can remove FL, Fc, and Fi to determine the probability of ANY life evolving.)
The link below includes a calculator that allows you to pick your own values for each of these variables, and see the results. Obviously this is a very general equation, but seems to match your question most accurately.
2006-09-12 06:53:43 · answer #1 · answered by Matt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out the analysis of astrophysicist Hugh Ross, Ph.D. He claims it is highly unlikely there are any other planets in the universe which have life on them. I don't agree, but it's interesting analysis nonetheless and at least gives one an appreciation of the factors involved.
2006-09-12 06:43:17 · answer #2 · answered by Andy S 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We don't know.
Some of the other responders have mentioned Drake's Equation. It's not useful unless you have good values to plug in for the variables, and we don't.
Also check wikipedia for "Fermi's Paradox" -- if there are ETs out there, where are they?
2006-09-12 08:47:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
low, 1 out of 1 million+ planets
2006-09-12 08:06:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 in a million
2006-09-12 06:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by rtydufulus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Extremely high. I have it on good information that there are several humanoid creatures in various spacecraft orbiting earth at this very moment. You can see with the naked eye their mothership passing overhead in the sky on a regular basis.
Scary, but true.
2006-09-12 06:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Bud V 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ya there is possibility of extra terrestrial........... there would be many galxies in unierse ....which would be having at least one planet supporting life
galaxy
2006-09-12 06:46:32 · answer #7 · answered by al_the_great_pal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look for Drakes equation on googles.
2006-09-12 07:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by Yahoo! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It cannot be calculated. There are too many variables whose values are not known even to a rough approximation.
2006-09-12 06:37:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same probability as you doing your own homework
2006-09-12 06:33:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋