Carl Sagan - Cosmos - Drake Equation

One shouldn't use our solar system as a general representative for other solar systems. Our solar system is unique in that the way we orbit the sun is different to how the majority of acknowledged solar systems' planets orbit their main star.

Well that's because at this point it's easiest for us to detect systems which have a Jupiter-size planet orbiting at a Mercury-like distance, a distance at which it is thought impossible for such planets to form (inside the frost line). Once we become better at detecting planets we may find that indeed most systems are like ours. Or maybe we need to drastically rethink how a solar system develops.

well,.. nt a very scientific equation,.. more speculative,..
n its higg's boson i guess nt Bose-Higson,...
n seph31,.. i guess u understand relativity a lot well,..
i had a doubt while raedin bou it,...
does the d spped of lite remain d same evn 4 a body tarvellin @ 80% of speed of lite or is it tht speed of lite is so large tht v tend 2 neglect non relativistic speeds??

You're right, the Drake equation is not scientific because all of the variables are unknown. And yes, the speed of light remains the same, even if it is being emitted by an object moving at 80% the speed of light. It is a crazy, crazy theory, but has been proven correct, so, conclusion, our universe is crazy!

i <3 carl sagan

the knowledge it fills me! it is neat!

Sagan was such a great guy.

@bustermk2 THAT'S IT hahaha that book makes sense now =)

The equation also shows the importance of learning to coexist peacefully -- both with each other and with technology.

The difference being between, in this case, ten and potentially millions of worlds.

Subjective? Sure.
Thought provoking? O yes.

Then you realize that none of our radio signals will make it far past our atmosphere, diluted and broken up by the magnetic field there.

Why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you persist?