/sci/ - Science & Math

Nobody thinks Drake's equation its the most pulled-out-of-ass equation of them all?

>>1592219
if you want prooof that aliens are possible, look around you.
if intelligent life could have evolved here, it's probable that it happened elsewhere as well.

The Drake Equation might be something for a discussion, picture related.

N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;

R* = the average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy
= the fraction of those stars that have planets
<span class="math">n_e[/spoiler] = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
<span class="math">f_ℓ[/spoiler] = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
<span class="math">f_i[/spoiler] = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
<span class="math">f_c[/spoiler] = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

>>1319846
closest we got. so far.

where:

N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;

and

R* = the average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

Oh yea, /sci/ what's your opinion on the Drake Equation?

N = R* fp ne fl fi fc L

where
N = The number of communicative civilizations
R* = The rate of formation of suitable stars (stars such as our Sun)
fp = The fraction of those stars with planets.
ne = The number of life-supporting worlds per planetary system
fl = The fraction of those Earth-like planets where life actually develops
fi = The fraction of life sites where intelligence develops
fc = The fraction of communicative planets (those on which electromagnetic communications technology develops)
L = The "lifetime" of communicating civilizations

Put in your own variables, post results