1. The Drake Equation Noah Weiss

2. Basics The Drake Equation is a hypothetical equation created in an attempt to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. The Drake Equation is a hypothetical equation created in an attempt to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. It was developed by Dr. Frank Drake in the 1960’s. It was developed by Dr. Frank Drake in the 1960’s.

3. Frank Drake Author of the Drake Equation. Author of the Drake Equation. Founder of the Search of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Founder of the Search of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Primary field is radio astronomy, which is the branch of astronomy in which celestial bodies and phenomena in space are studied by examining their radio wave emissions. Primary field is radio astronomy, which is the branch of astronomy in which celestial bodies and phenomena in space are studied by examining their radio wave emissions.

4. The Equation The Drake Equation is: The Drake Equation is: N = (R*)(f p )(n e )(f l )(f i )(ft)(L) N = (R*)(f p )(n e )(f l )(f i )(ft)(L)

5. The Variables N is the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might expect to be able to communicateN is the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might expect to be able to communicate R* is the rate of star formation in our galaxyR* is the rate of star formation in our galaxy f p is the fraction of those stars which have planetsf p is the fraction of those stars which have planets n e is average number of planets which can potentially support life per star that has planetsn e is average number of planets which can potentially support life per star that has planets f l is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop lifef l is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop life f is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop intelligent lifef is the fraction of the above which actually go on to develop intelligent life f c is the fraction of the above which are willing and able to communicatef c is the fraction of the above which are willing and able to communicate L is the expected lifetime of such a civilizationL is the expected lifetime of such a civilization

6. Current Drake Equation http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html R*=10/year R*=10/year f p =.5 f p =.5 n e =2 n e =2 f l =1 f l =1 f i= =.01 f i= =.01 f c =1 f c =1 L=10000 L=10000 N=10000 N=10000

7. Is there life in the universe? Current efforts to find life in out solar system are concentrated on Jupiter’s Moon Europa, which has a layer of liquid water under its surface, and examining meteors. Current efforts to find life in out solar system are concentrated on Jupiter’s Moon Europa, which has a layer of liquid water under its surface, and examining meteors.

8. Works Cited Microsoft Encarta, Exobiology Microsoft Encarta, Exobiology http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origi ns/drake.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SETI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SETI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SETI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_e quation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_e quation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_e quation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_e quation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_D rake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_D rake