The Drake Equation
4.9star
32 reviews
1K+
Downloads
Everyone
info
About this app
In this app you will use the Drake Equation by selecting and changing the values of the different factors. You will be encouraged to ponder the possibility of intelligent communicating life elsewhere in the Milky Way and the rest of the universe. The Drake Equation also will inspire you to think about astronomy, astrophysics, biology, philosophy, psychology and more.
Astronomers are hot on the trail of rocky exoplanets about the size of Earth, planets with enough gravity to hold an atmosphere, and orbiting their stars in the so-called habitable zone, at distances where temperatures will permit liquid surface water. We know that there are hundreds of billions of stars and very likely planets in our galaxy, and there are as many galaxies in the observable universe. There is at least a chance that we are not alone. What might it mean for humans to one day learn about intelligent extraterrestrials?
Over half a century ago, astronomer Frank Drake used a radio telescope to listen for intelligent signals from other star systems. He also formulated an equation proven to be quite useful when hypothesizing about the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy, and about how many of them are transmitting radio signals which we can potentially receive and decode? N, the number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy which broadcast detectable signals, is a multiple of seven factors, each of which limit the resulting value, each of which must be carefully examined in order to arrive at an estimate.
Use the app. Discuss it with your friends and family. Enjoy!
Astronomers are hot on the trail of rocky exoplanets about the size of Earth, planets with enough gravity to hold an atmosphere, and orbiting their stars in the so-called habitable zone, at distances where temperatures will permit liquid surface water. We know that there are hundreds of billions of stars and very likely planets in our galaxy, and there are as many galaxies in the observable universe. There is at least a chance that we are not alone. What might it mean for humans to one day learn about intelligent extraterrestrials?
Over half a century ago, astronomer Frank Drake used a radio telescope to listen for intelligent signals from other star systems. He also formulated an equation proven to be quite useful when hypothesizing about the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy, and about how many of them are transmitting radio signals which we can potentially receive and decode? N, the number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy which broadcast detectable signals, is a multiple of seven factors, each of which limit the resulting value, each of which must be carefully examined in order to arrive at an estimate.
Use the app. Discuss it with your friends and family. Enjoy!
Updated on
Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
Learn more about how developers declare sharing
No data collected
Learn more about how developers declare collection
Ratings and reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Smee Self
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
September 24, 2020
Some factors should be able to accept lower values. Otherwise, just what I was looking for. Thanks Updated for lower values. 5 Stars. Thanks.
3 people found this review helpful
Norway Apps
September 24, 2020
Hi, I don't know if you still have the app, just wanted to say that in release 1.2 you can input lower values. Thanks again for the feedback.
A Google user
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
October 26, 2018
Love it its somthing meets my curiosity i wish more apps shows the stars in milky way in realtime view
1 person found this review helpful
Norway Apps
December 6, 2018
Stars in real-time sounds like a very ambitious project :) But, I think I know what you mean - perhaps a graphic of the galaxy where you can visualize civilizations based on your N value. Glad you like the app.
Dale Alan Bryant
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
November 10, 2021
My mistake! All variables are within normal limits. I know - I know - people, like me, should keep their big mouths, SHUT!
1 person found this review helpful
Norway Apps
July 24, 2021
Thanks very much for your review. Which variable(s) do you want to have lower input values for? I'll consider it for next update.
What's new
1.3
- Immersive view and better scrolling on newer phones
- Minor text changes
1.2.1
- Minor text changes
1.2
- Improved input. Now you can easily select smaller numbers. For example, one in ten million for the probability of life arising on habitable worlds
- Changed and added some text
1.1.1
- Graphics and text changes
- Select N button change
1.1.0
- Saves your last calculation
- New select initial N screen
1.0.1
- Aesthetically pleasing and easy to use interface
- Immersive view and better scrolling on newer phones
- Minor text changes
1.2.1
- Minor text changes
1.2
- Improved input. Now you can easily select smaller numbers. For example, one in ten million for the probability of life arising on habitable worlds
- Changed and added some text
1.1.1
- Graphics and text changes
- Select N button change
1.1.0
- Saves your last calculation
- New select initial N screen
1.0.1
- Aesthetically pleasing and easy to use interface
