Just thought some people would like to know.If I've made any errors or need to add to this feel free to comment.

The Drake Equation:

R* X fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L = N

(1)"R*" represents the formation rate of suitable ,or sunlike, stars per year.As few as 5 or as many as 1000 are created each yearin the Milky Way,5% of which are sunlike. 1 to 50 is a good guess.

(2)"fp" is the precentage of these sunlike stars that have planets. We've detected dozens of Jupiter like planets orbiting, stars.So we can assume planet formation is fairly common.Try somthing between 0.5 to 1

(3)"ne" represents the number of habitable planets per system.We still lack the technology to detect these.Our system has one - Earth.Use 1 for now

(4)"fl" is the precentage of habitable planets where life developes.Try a number beween 0.5 and 1

(5)"fi" is the precentage of living worlds where intelligence developes. Try 0.5 to 1

(6)"fc" represents the precentage of aforementioned planets that have the technology to communicate.We've been sending radio waves for over half a century. Some may have the means but choose to be quiet. Use a number between 0.9 and 1

(7)"L" is the duration a communicating civilization lasts in years.Be opptimistic and enter a number substantially greater than your lifespan.

(8) Multiply all 7 variables to calculate your answer. "N" estimates the number of communicative civiliations in the Milky Way .

Courtesy of Astronomy Magazine.

---

I Refuse to hold myself responsible for any of my actions.

si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes