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Exploring Life in the Universe: Are We Alone?

Delve into the possibilities of intelligent life beyond Earth, from calculating probabilities using Drake's Equation to the challenges of advanced civilization and sustaining life. Discover the potential for finding life among the stars and the methods of interstellar travel. Unveil the mysteries of signals from space and ponder the question: Are we truly alone in the vast universe?

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Exploring Life in the Universe: Are We Alone?

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  1. Life in the Universe What We Want to Know • There is intelligent life on Earth • Could it have happened elsewhere? • Alien Spacecraft/UFO’s? • Evidence is unconvincing • Can we calculate probabilities? • No • Drake’s Equation is a way to estimate how many intelligent civilizations (besides ours) are in the galaxy

  2. Drake’s Equation N = R* fPnPMflfiL N = number of civilizations in our galaxy R* = rate at which solar-type stars form fP = fraction of those stars with planets nPM= number of suitable planets and moons fl = probability of getting life fi = probability of life evolving intelligence L = lifetime of intelligent species

  3. Stars, Planets, and Moons N = R* fPnPMflfiL R* = rate at which solar-type stars form = 1/year fP = fraction of those stars with planets = 0.1 – 0.5

  4. The right temperature N = R* fPnPMflfiL Too cold nPM = number of suitable planets and moons = 0.1 - 1 Just right Too hot

  5. Getting Life Started N = R* fPnPMflfiL fl = probability of getting life started = ?? – 1 • The basic building blocks of life (elements, amino acids) are common • Life started fairly quickly on Earth • But even very simple life is extremely complicated/unlikely

  6. Getting Advanced Civilization N = R* fPnPMflfiL fi = probability of life evolving intelligence = ?? – 0.5 • Evolution follows naturally from physical laws • Evolution naturally leads to some complexity • Intelligence is a very useful kind of complexity • Catastrophes could wipe out advanced life • Evolution may sometimes lead to dead ends

  7. Keeping Civilization Alive N = R* fPnPMflfiL L = Mean lifetime of intelligent life = 100 – 109 years • We have the ability to destroy civilization • We are also damaging our environment • We are using up non-renewable resources • Civilizations may “mature” – some evidence • Sustainable civilizations is technically possible

  8. Are We Alone? R*= 1/yr fP = 0.1 – 0.5 nPM = 0.1 - 1 fl = ?? – 1 fi = ?? – 0.5 L = 100 – 109 yr N = R* fPnPMflfiL = 0 - billions • Intelligent life could be rare • Intelligent life could be common • My opinion: • We are first in the galaxy, and possibly the visible universe • Ultimately, this is an experimental question

  9. Searching Stars for Life • How can we know if intelligent life exists around other stars? • Visitors from outer space? • Fermi paradox – If they exist, why aren’t they here? • Travel to distant stars? • Search for signals from space?

  10. Traveling Between the Stars • How Best to do it? • Best chemical rockets: 10-4c – 10-3c • Millenia to nearest star • Nuclear rockets, solar sails, ion engines • 10-2c – 10-1c • Decades – centuries to nearest star • Solutions: • Unmanned missions • Generation ships – parents have children • Long life span/hibernation

  11. Signals From Space • We can send/receive electromagnetic signals throughout the universe at c • The universe is a noisy place • Dust/gas/etc. blocks many wavelengths • Some radiation can penetrate gas and dust • In radio waves, the Earth outshines the Sun

  12. Signals From Space • We send accidental and intentional signals into space • We also look for signals from alien civilizations • Nothing found so far

  13. Final Exam Equations P2 = a3 (M + m)P2 = a3 c = lf c =3  108 m/s F = ma E = hf P = knT lmaxT = 2900 Km 4 H + 2e - He + 2 neutrino + energy L = 4d2B v = H0d H0 = 22 km/s/Mly

  14. End of Material for Test 4 Questions?

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