The Drake Equation
The Drake Equation
Matthew F. Dowd, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Frank Drake, SETI Institute, California
$172.00
USDIn 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.
- Fully accessible to non-specialists; this volume provides a comprehensive overview of the field of astrobiology
- Makes clear the links between astrobiology and SETI and includes discussions of intelligence and culture beyond the scope of those typically emphasized by NASA
- Written by leading scientists and science historians in the field
Reviews & endorsements
'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
Product details
August 2015Adobe eBook Reader
9781316382981
0 pages
0kg
45 b/w illus.
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- 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.
