The Drake Equation
Estimating the Prevalence of Extraterrestrial Life through the Ages

Leading scientists and historians explore the equation that guides modern astrobiology's search for life beyond Earth.

Douglas A. Vakoch (Edited by), Matthew F. Dowd (Edited by), Frank Drake (Foreword by)

9781107073654, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 July 2015

340 pages, 45 b/w illus.
25.2 x 17.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.83 kg

'Now, over a half century after Drake's original formulation, Douglas Vakoch and Matthew Dowd have brought together a group of scholars to assess the equation's place in the history of astrobiology … the Drake equation may reveal as much about the historical epistemology of science as it does about the ongoing search for a way to communicate with intelligent life in the universe.' Greg Eghigian, Isis

In this compelling book, leading scientists and historians explore the Drake Equation, which guides modern astrobiology's search for life beyond Earth. First used in 1961 as the organising framework for a conference in Green Bank, West Virginia, it uses seven factors to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilisations in our galaxy. Using the equation primarily as a heuristic device, this engaging text examines the astronomical, biological, and cultural factors that determine the abundance or rarity of life beyond Earth and provides a thematic history of the search for extraterrestrial life. Logically structured to analyse each of the factors in turn, and offering commentary and critique of the equation as a whole, contemporary astrobiological research is placed in a historical context. Each factor is explored over two chapters, discussing the pre-conference thinking and a modern analysis, to enable postgraduates and researchers to better assess the assumptions that guide their research.

List of contributors
Foreword Frank Drake
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction Steven Dick
1. Rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life, R*, pre-1961 David DeVorkin
2. Rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life, R*, 1961 to the present Patrick François and Danielle Briot
3. Fraction of stars with planetary systems, fp, pre-1961 Matthew F. Dowd
4. Fraction of stars with planetary systems, fp, 1961 to the present Chris Impey
5. Number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life, ne, pre-1961 Florence Raulin Cerceau
6. Number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life, ne, 1961 to the present Danielle Briot and Jean Schneider
7. Fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears, fl, pre-1961 Stephané Tirard
8. Fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears, fl, 1961 to the present David J. Des Marais
9. Fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges, fl, pre-1961 Michael Crowe
10. Fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges, fl, 1961 to the present Lori Marino
11. Fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space, fc, pre-1961 Florence Raulin Cerceau
12. Fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space, fc, 1961 to the present Seth Shostak
13. Length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space, L, pre-1961 David Dunér
14. Length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space, L, 1961 to the present Garry Chick
Afterword Paul Davies
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrology [VXFA], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]