Are We Alone? 🔭
(1)

For centuries, we have asked this question and attempted to make contact with another civilization. There is actually a fundamental equation that describes this question which was created by Dr. Frank Drake in 1961. It summarizes what scientists would need to contemplate...
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when searching for extraterrestrial life. It is regarded as more of a hypothetical equation, since there is a large uncertainty in many of the variables within it. This means it does not attempt to find a precise number.
Let’s go through each of the variables individually:
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N = the number of theoretically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy
R* = the rate of formation stars in the galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars with planetary systems
ne = the number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life
(4)

fe = the fraction of suitable planets on which life actually occurs
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
(5)