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To: Momaw Nadon
I don't know the current state of affairs of the Drake equation, other than as time goes on the number of things they find that need to be factored in grows. I just don't know where that is right now.

The stuff at reasons.org is a defacto Drake equation. I know that the list was at less than 100 factors only a few months ago. The more our knowledge grows the more we find that the parameters that will produce a planet capable of harbouring life as we know it get narrower.

I myself would be interested to know if there is an offical "Drake Equation" that is updated frequently. My guess is that unless it is updated monthly, it will not have all 118 of these factors, but it will have more factors than it did two years ago, or whenever it was last updated.

342 posted on 07/17/2002 8:48:35 PM PDT by Ahban
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To: Ahban; Physicist; edwin hubble; RadioAstronomer; FormerLurker
Well, according to the SETI Institute, the current Drake Equation is as follows:

The equation is usually written: N = R* • fp • ne • fl • fi • fc • L

Where,

N = The number of civilizations in The Milky Way Galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions are detectable.

R* =The rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life.

fp = The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.

ne = The number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life.

fl = The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.

fi = The fraction of life bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.

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.

344 posted on 07/17/2002 9:04:12 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
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