The Drake Equation (Drake Formula) is a formula intended to determine the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the Galaxy with which humanity has a chance to make contact. It was formulated by Dr. Frank Donald Drake (Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz) in 1960.
The Drake Equation served as the basis for allocating millions of dollars to the program for searching for extraterrestrial civilizations, despite the fact that at the current level of scientific development, only two coefficients can be determined more or less accurately: R and, less accurately, fp, while the rest obviously cannot be determined at all, without accumulating knowledge about other civilizations.
Drake Equation :
N = R f p n e f l f i f c L
where:
- N = the number of intelligent civilizations ready to make contact;
and
- R * = the number of stars formed per year in our galaxy;
- f p = the fraction of stars with planets;
- n e = the average number of planets (and moons) with conditions suitable for the emergence of civilization;
- f l = the probability of life emerging on a planet with suitable conditions;
- f i = the probability of intelligent life forms emerging on a planet where there is life;
- f c = the ratio of the number of planets whose intelligent inhabitants are capable of and seeking contact to the number of planets with intelligent life;
- L = the lifetime of such a civilization (i.e., the time during which the civilization exists, is capable of making contact, and wants to make contact)
