Richard Botelho's Blog - Posts Tagged "galaxy"
The Drake Equation
Since my forthcoming novel Reason for Existence concerns extraterrestrials and their interaction with humans, it might be interesting to consider the actual probability of extraterrestrial life in our galaxy. The foundation of this analysis has been The Drake Equation, formulated by Dr. Frank Drake in 1961. The Drake Equation is as follows:
1. Total number of stars in our galaxy. Estimated to be 250 billion.
2. Number of those stars that have planets.
3. Number of those planets that could potentially support life.
4. Number of those planets that actually develop life.
5. Number of those planets with life that develop intelligent life.
6. The percentage of those planets with intelligent life that develop a technological civilization.
7. The length of time those civilizations last without destroying themselves.
Essentially, the equation reduces down from 250 billion possibilities for solar systems like our own to the percentage that fulfill the requirements of The Drake Equation. We now know that about 90% of all stars in the galaxy have planets orbiting them. How many of those can support life? How many have intelligent life with technological civilizations?
Estimates range from 1, Earth, to millions, but the best estimates say around 4,500. That is lots of other intelligent civilizations, but a very small percentage of the original 250 billion possibilities.
So, we are probably not alone and many of those other intelligent civilizations could be much further along their evolutionary paths than humans. That could explain the huge number of UFO sightings throughout history.
For an excellent article on The Drake Equation, visit wpcbooks.com in the section titled "Links to Interesting Things."
Thanks for reading my blog.
1. Total number of stars in our galaxy. Estimated to be 250 billion.
2. Number of those stars that have planets.
3. Number of those planets that could potentially support life.
4. Number of those planets that actually develop life.
5. Number of those planets with life that develop intelligent life.
6. The percentage of those planets with intelligent life that develop a technological civilization.
7. The length of time those civilizations last without destroying themselves.
Essentially, the equation reduces down from 250 billion possibilities for solar systems like our own to the percentage that fulfill the requirements of The Drake Equation. We now know that about 90% of all stars in the galaxy have planets orbiting them. How many of those can support life? How many have intelligent life with technological civilizations?
Estimates range from 1, Earth, to millions, but the best estimates say around 4,500. That is lots of other intelligent civilizations, but a very small percentage of the original 250 billion possibilities.
So, we are probably not alone and many of those other intelligent civilizations could be much further along their evolutionary paths than humans. That could explain the huge number of UFO sightings throughout history.
For an excellent article on The Drake Equation, visit wpcbooks.com in the section titled "Links to Interesting Things."
Thanks for reading my blog.
Novel Concepts
My forthcoming science fiction/philosophy novel Reason for Existence has some interesting concepts, even "novel" ones, no pun intended, discussed throughout the book. In future blog posts, I will discuss each in further detail. All are based either on scientific fact or a high probability of eventually being proven. The following list is not complete, but is a good starting point for discussion. The list is as follows:
1. Probability of extraterrestrial life. My earlier post on The Drake Equation is a foundation for the subject.
2. Consciousness is preeminent. Quantum Mechanics, recent animal and plant studies, religious traditions, and even communication methodologies all point to consciousness being separate from the brain and indeed a distinct, individual and indispensable part of nature.
3. The possibility of supra organizations existing as a potential ruling elite.
4. Emerging technologies that will be critical to building a lasting civilization that not only survives, but survives long enough to explore the galaxy.
5. Geopolitical instability and the prospects for nuclear and biological warfare.
Further information regarding the novel can be found at www.wpcbooks.com
1. Probability of extraterrestrial life. My earlier post on The Drake Equation is a foundation for the subject.
2. Consciousness is preeminent. Quantum Mechanics, recent animal and plant studies, religious traditions, and even communication methodologies all point to consciousness being separate from the brain and indeed a distinct, individual and indispensable part of nature.
3. The possibility of supra organizations existing as a potential ruling elite.
4. Emerging technologies that will be critical to building a lasting civilization that not only survives, but survives long enough to explore the galaxy.
5. Geopolitical instability and the prospects for nuclear and biological warfare.
Further information regarding the novel can be found at www.wpcbooks.com
