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ARE WE ALONE?



Is earth a lonely planet?  Is there any other civilization in our milky way galaxy ?  These questions are answered by Drake equation.  First let us see the variables in the equation.

 1. N# - There are roughly 100 billion stars in milky way  galaxy.
2. FP - 20%  to 50% have planetary system.
3. NE- 1 to 5 planets of each star have the capability to sustain life.
4. FL - 0% to 100% of the planets have the capacity to support and evolve life.
5. FI -  In 0 % to 100 % of planets, the intelligent life evolves.
6. FC - 10% to 20% of intelligent life try to communicate.
7. FL - How long the intelligent life survive and communicate? It is tough to guess.  We are communicating using radio waves for last 100 years only. 

 N - If we multiply all the above factors ,  we may get the probable number of intelligent and communicating civilization in our galaxy.

 N = N#*FP*NE*FL*FI*FC*FL
Let us guess the minimum values, substitute in the equation and find the answer.
    = 100 BILLION*50%*1*50%*20%*20%*10000 YEARS
N = 1000 (minimum)

   The answer is 1000 civilizations .  This answer gives some hope for the search of extra terrestrial life.  To find the correct value for the variables in the equation, we have to still learn a lot.

  Post script:  conditions for life to evolve in a planet.
1. A comfortable temperature from -50 degree c to + 50 degree c
2. Water
3. Oxygen and carbon di oxide.cycle by plants ( photosynthesis) and animals (respiration)
4. Proper atmosphere. 
  
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Comments

  1. Durga Prasad Dash26 April 2017 at 18:56

    I too quite often wonder if there is life elsewhere. And if we could trace and connect how wonderful it could be.

    ReplyDelete

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