Billions of habital planets in Milky Way
Discussion
Under the heading of billions of habitable planets found in Milky Way:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9170683/N...
For a start red dwarfs aren't, as mentioned in the article, the most stable of stars. I'm not sure how a planet in the 'goldilocks’ zone', which would have to be quite close given its output, would fare under the bombardment of X rays and 'stuff'.
Perhaps troglodytes? The Time Machine anyone?
The most populous type of star might be the most popular for life. Interesting.
There was a report some time ago of Jupiter-sized planets around a number of red dwarfs, and multiple planets around some, but this, with the emphasis on earth-sized planets, seems new.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9170683/N...
For a start red dwarfs aren't, as mentioned in the article, the most stable of stars. I'm not sure how a planet in the 'goldilocks’ zone', which would have to be quite close given its output, would fare under the bombardment of X rays and 'stuff'.
Perhaps troglodytes? The Time Machine anyone?
The most populous type of star might be the most popular for life. Interesting.
There was a report some time ago of Jupiter-sized planets around a number of red dwarfs, and multiple planets around some, but this, with the emphasis on earth-sized planets, seems new.
BarnatosGhost said:
Once anything has been proven to exist, as life has, the chances of it only existing once, in one place, are very low indeed.
Agreed. Life exists here, so how could it not occur elsewhere, given planets and stars exist in numbers most people can't even comprehend.Even on earth live exists in the most unusual (for us) of circumstances.
Billions, and Billions, and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions,and Billions..........
/Dr Brian Cox
;-)
/Dr Brian Cox
;-)
Hmm, now let me think...
I reckon if:
N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;
R* = the average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space
Then you get:
Sorted!
ETA: Oh damn, beaten to it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation
I reckon if:
N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;
R* = the average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space
Then you get:
Sorted!
ETA: Oh damn, beaten to it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 29th March 23:34
BarnatosGhost said:
Once anything has been proven to exist, as life has, the chances of it only existing once, in one place, are very low indeed.
^^^This. Given the The number of stars in the galaxy, never mind the universe, it would be astounding if the place wasn't teeming with life. Either it is or it isn't. Either way it's profound. + the drake equation It has been decided (and this is absolutely true) that, in the event of contact being made with another civilisation, the word 'alien' MUST NOT be used as it is offensive, implying that they are being categorised as a life-form that is living in the wrong environment. They must be referred to as EBE's - Exo-Biological Entities...
Brussels can even wind its red feckin' tape around the necks of people from other stellar systems!
Brussels can even wind its red feckin' tape around the necks of people from other stellar systems!
BarnatosGhost said:
Once anything has been proven to exist, as life has, the chances of it only existing once, in one place, are very low indeed.
But... It has evolved here only once in the planet's entire history. We all have one common ancestor. Life has only sprouted once.That is what I am led to believe.
Now, although that makes it very special, it doesn't of course make it impossible for it to start from scratch again somewhere else in the universe.
Mr Gear said:
But... It has evolved here only once in the planet's entire history. We all have one common ancestor. Life has only sprouted once.
That is what I am led to believe.
Now, although that makes it very special, it doesn't of course make it impossible for it to start from scratch again somewhere else in the universe.
But couldn't we have had another common ancestor if certain things had occurred. If the Siberian traps had been just a little more volatile we might have had to start from scratch again. Also, did life start just in the one place or did it start in a number and the best one dominated all the others?That is what I am led to believe.
Now, although that makes it very special, it doesn't of course make it impossible for it to start from scratch again somewhere else in the universe.
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