Drake equation
E6344
The Drake equation is a probabilistic formula used to estimate the number of technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilizations that might exist in our galaxy.
Aliases (2)
Statements (51)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
astronomical equation
→
equation in astrobiology → probabilistic formula → scientific model → |
| appliesTo |
Milky Way
→
surface form: "Milky Way galaxy"
|
| creator | Frank Drake → |
| defines | N → |
| describedBySource | Project Ozma meeting → |
| field |
SETI
→
astrobiology → astronomy → cosmology → statistics → |
| hasCriticism |
can give misleading impression of precision
→
may reflect observer selection effects → parameters are poorly constrained → |
| hasFormula | N = R* × fp × ne × fl × fi × fc × L → |
| hasPart |
L
→
N → R* → fc → fi → fl → fp → ne → |
| hasQuality |
highly uncertain parameters
→
multiplicative model → order-of-magnitude estimate → speculative → |
| hasVersion | extended Drake equations including additional factors → |
| inception | 1961 → |
| influenced |
Bayesian models of extraterrestrial life
→
Fermi paradox discussions → modern SETI research programs → |
| mainSubject |
Milky Way
→
surface form: "Milky Way galaxy"
extraterrestrial intelligence → technologically advanced civilizations → |
| namedAfter | Frank Drake → |
| notableWork | used in 1961 Green Bank conference on SETI → |
| use |
estimate number of communicating extraterrestrial civilizations
→
guide SETI observational strategies → illustrate scientific uncertainties about extraterrestrial life → structure discussion of factors in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence → |
| variableMeaning |
L = average lifetime of detectable civilizations
→
N = number of detectable civilizations in the Milky Way → R* = average rate of star formation in the galaxy → fc = fraction of intelligent civilizations that develop detectable technology → fi = fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent life evolves → fl = fraction of habitable planets where life actually appears → fp = fraction of stars with planetary systems → ne = average number of habitable planets per star with planets → |
Referenced by (10)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.
this entity surface form: "Intelligent Life in the Universe"
this entity surface form: "Drake Equation"