DRAKE'S EQUATION is an equation that helps one 2 to calculate the number of inhabitable planets
2007-11-05 11:54:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The *equation* has a high probability of being valid. What that means is if you knew the right values the equation would produce the correct results. Lots of very smart people have pushed and poked that equation without making any significant changes.
That is completely different from "What are the correct values." As far as I know, there is *NO* consensus about that. I tend to be a pessimist about these things, so I generally choose values that make us the only (but not necessarily the first) intelligent species around at the moment.
HTH
Charles
2007-11-05 12:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drake's equation can't be validated. It is essentially a "probabilty tree" approach to determine inhabitable planets. In Carl Sagan's
"Cosmos", the various factors are discussed and plausible order of magnitude estimates suggested.
2007-11-05 12:03:43 · answer #2 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cupid -
Cattbarf is correct, if somewhat unappealing (lol). Proving Drake's equation would necessitate the discovery of some form of life elsewhere in the universe. Until we find that, it will be tough to evaluate the validity of any of the assumptions, which are reasonable, but certainly speculative and therefore subject to open question.
2007-11-05 12:43:54 · answer #3 · answered by Larry454 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋