--%>

Explain Drake equation

Drake equation (F. Drake; 1961): The method of estimating the number of intelligent, scientific species (that is, able to communicate with other species) in subsistence in our space.

N = R fp ne fl fi ft L.

Here,

N is the number of species explained above at any specified moment in our Galaxy. The parameters it is evaluated from are as follows:

R = the rate of star formation in our solar system (in stars per year);
fp = the fraction of stars that contain planets;
ne = the total number of habitable planets per system with planets;
fl = the fraction of habitable planets on which the life arises;
fi = the fraction of such planets on which the life develops intelligence;
ft = the fraction of such planets where the intelligence grows into a technological civilization which is capable of communication; and
L = the mean life-time of such a scientific civilization.

Out of these quantities, only the first -- R -- is recognized with anything like any reliability; this is on the order of 10 stars per year. The others, most particularly the fractions, are approximately totally pure speculation at this point. Computations made by respectable astronomers vary by something like ten orders of magnitude in the last estimation of the number of species out there.

   Related Questions in Physics

  • Q : Newtons laws of motion or Newtons

    Explain Newtons laws of motion or Newtons first law, second law and third law of motion? Newton's laws of motion (Sir I. Newton)

    Q : Problem on magnetically coupled pair

    When one coil of a magnetically coupled pair has a current of 5.0A, the resulting fluxes Φ11 and Φ21 are 0.2mWb and 0.4mWb, respectively.  If the turns are N1 = 500 and N2 = 1500, find L1, L2, M and the coeffici

  • Q : Define Kilogram or SI unit of mass

    Kilogram: kg: The basic SI unit of mass that is the only SI unit still maintained by a physical artifact: a platinum-iridium bar reserved in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sevres, France.

  • Q : Explain Ideal gas laws or Boyle

    Explain Ideal gas laws or describe Boyle's law or Charle's law and Pressure law: Ideal gas laws: Boyle's law:

  • Q : Plasma globe AD advantages and

    advantages and disadvantages of a plasma globe

  • Q : On which gravitational force depends

    Explain in short on which the gravitational force depends on?

  • Q : What is Cosmic censorship conjecture

    Cosmic censorship conjecture (R. Penrose, 1979): The conjecture, so far wholly undemonstrated in the context of general relativity, that all singularities (that is with the possible exception of the big bang singularity) are attended

  • Q : What is Simultaneity principle

    Simultaneity principle: The principle which all frames of reference will contain invariant simultaneity; that is, the two events perceived as simultaneous (that is, containing the similar time coordinate) in one frame will be apparent as simultaneous

  • Q : Define Carnots theorem Carnot's theorem

    Carnot's theorem (S. Carnot): The theorem that states that no engine operating between the two temperatures can be more proficient than a reversible engine.

  • Q : Explain Uncertainty principle

    Uncertainty principle (W. Heisenberg; 1927): A principle, central to the quantum mechanics that states which two complementary parameters (like energy and time, position and momentum, or angular momentum and angular displacement) can’t both be r