Assessing the possibility that a form of intelligent life exists somewhere in our universe is not the first time researchers have attempted it. But this time, they tout their formula as the most complete of its kind. And the result can be disappointing.
Drake’s equation. Everyone who is interested in the question of extraterrestrial life has at least heard about it. Because it allows in principle to estimate the number of technologically advanced civilizations in our galaxy that we might come into contact with, based on the fraction of stars in our galaxy with planets or the time required for a civilization to exist. . to develop. In practice, it constitutes above all, for AstronomersAstronomersa kind of guidance that guides them in their search for intelligent extraterrestrial life.
More than 60 years after the equation was developed by American astronomer Frank Drake, a European team led by AstronomersAstronomers From the University of Durham (UK) offers an update of sorts – or rather, an extension. Their approach does not attempt to determine the exact number of civilizations that have evolved in our universe, but rather to estimate the relative probability of one appearing. They describe their journey. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Remember thatDrake equationDrake equation Focused on our Milky Way. Already in 2016, researchers extended its scope to our entire universe. Astronomers at the University of Durham have given it a new dimension. A multi-dimensional!
To do this, they focused everything on one particular parameter: the amount of dark energy in a given universe. Ours or someone else’s. This form ofEnergyEnergy What little escapes our understanding is, among other things, why our universe is expanding at such a rapid rate. For the subject that interests us here, you should know that astronomers think.Dark energyDark energy It also affects the number of stars that the universe can form. And so do the number of planets and intelligent civilizations it can develop. Since life without stars or planets is obviously not possible.
There are too few stars in our universe to support life.
To set the mayonnaise, you need a quantity Dark matterDark matter A few billion years is enough for ordinary matter to accumulate. It takes time for stars, planets and eventually life to appear. And what Durham University astronomers discovered was that a universe made of dark energy would allow 27% of ordinary matter to coalesce to form the maximum number of stars. So with the greatest chance, that a form of intelligent life will develop there at some point in its history.
However, in our universe, it is established that about 23% “only” Ordinary matter turns into stars. So he is not among the most advanced people in this area. And for that reason, perhaps the universes are unlikely to give rise to a form of intelligent life. “It would be interesting to use this model to explore.appearanceappearance About life in different universes and see if some of the fundamental questions we ask ourselves about our universe need reinterpretation »concluded Professor Lucas Lomberizer of the University of Geneva.
