A) Discuss the Drake equation Use the Brainpop Drake equation featureB) Discuss Fermi’s paradoxC) Discuss Area 51

SciencePlan SPI 0807.5.4 BiodiversityExobiology

Drake EquationFact: There are at least 200 billion stars in our galaxy (probably more)

Fact: There are approximately 80 billion galaxies in the universe (probably more)

Fact: In 1960, S.E.T.I. scientist Frank Drake developed an equation about how to calculate the possible number of extraterrestrial civilizations.

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The Drake Equation states…

Annual average rate of star formation in our galaxy (10) (multiplied by) Estimated stars that have planets (0.5) (multiplied by) average number of those planets that can potentially support life (2) (multiplied by) number of planets that develop life (0.33)

…that the number of likely extraterrestrial civilizations can be calculated by multiplying a number of relevant factors.

(multiplied by) number of planets with intelligent life (0.01) (multiplied by) number of planets with intelligent life that develop signals that we can detect (radio, WIFI, etc.) (0.01) (multiplied by) length of time that it takes for them to send out these signals (10, 000 years)Drake’s Solution: 10 x 0.5 x 2 x 0.33 x 0.01 x 0.01 x 10000 = 10 Ten possible extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy right now

ScienceNotes SPI 0807.5.4 BiodiversityExobiology

Link: Brainpop.com, type in "Drake Equation”Brainpop website-Drake Equation

Can also try this link: Activemind Website-Drake Equation Calculator

Now you can try it.

Drake Equation

Don’t worry, Brainpop will do all the math for you Use Brainpop’s Drake Equation

application.

Can be summarized as… Where Are They??? Famous scientist, Enrico Fermi used Drake’s equation and computed that there was only one likely extraterrestrial civilization in our galaxy. Even traveling less than the speed of light, those extraterrestrials would be able to expand across the galaxy in about 10 million years. Since the universe is estimated to be over 10 billionyears old, Fermi said we should see plenty of signs of

these aliens. So he asked Where Are They???

ScienceNotes SPI 0807.5.4 BiodiversityExobiology

Fermi’s Paradox

Area 51 is the name given by the C.I.A. to a Top Secret part of Edwards Air Force Base located in a remote desert region of Nevada.

Since the 1960s this air base has been used to test Top Secret aircraft and other technology related to our national security.

ScienceNotes SPI 0807.5.4 BiodiversityExobiology

What is Area 51

Link: Independence Day-Area 51 Video ClipLink: Mysterious Object-Area 51

U2 Aircraft (used for spying)

Tested at Area 51?

SR-71 Blackbird (used for spying)

Tested at Area 51?

F-117 Stealth Fighter (Nighthawk) (used for tactical bombing)

Tested at Area 51?

B-2 Stealth Bomber (Spirit) Tested at Area 51?

Tested at Area 51?

Stealth UAVs/Drones (RQ-180)

Tested at Area 51?Project Aurora?

(Top Secret Aircraft?)Link: Project Aurora Video Clip