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Drake equation

The Drake equation is:

$N=R_{\mathrm{*}}\cdot f_{\mathrm{p}}\cdot n_{\mathrm{e}}\cdot f_{\mathrm{l}}\cdot f_{\mathrm{i}}\cdot f_{\mathrm{c}}\cdot L$

where

• $N=$ the number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy with which communication might be possible.

and

• $R_{\mathrm{*}}=$the average rate of star formation in our galaxy.
• $f_{\mathrm{p}}=$the fraction of those stars that have planets.
• $n_{\mathrm{e}}=$the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets.
• $f_{\mathrm{l}}=$the fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point.
• $f_{\mathrm{i}}=$the fraction of planets with life that go on to develop intelligent life.
• $f_{\mathrm{c}}=$the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space.
• $L=$the length of time in years for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

This form of the equation first appeared in Drake's 1965 paper. Here you can try it with your own estimates:

$R_{\mathrm{*}}=$ $f_{\mathrm{p}}=$ $n_{\mathrm{e}}=$ $f_{\mathrm{l}}=$ $f_{\mathrm{i}}=$ $f_{\mathrm{c}}=$ $L=$

Answer:

Found a bug? Send me some feedback.

Sources:

• Drake equation in Wikipedia
• Drake equation in Science Notes
• Drake equation in seti.org

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