![]() ![]() ![]() Many of these figures are open to wide debate, but Drake himself estimates the final number of communicating civilisations in the galaxy to be about 10,000. The Drake equation multiplies together seven factors including: the formation rate of stars like our Sun, the fraction of Earth-like planets and the fraction of those on which life develops. In 1961 US radio astronomer Frank Drake developed an equation to help estimate the number of planets hosting intelligent life – and capable of communicating with us – in the galaxy. 2001, More rigorous calculations connected to the 1960s “Drake equation” suggests that our galaxy may contain hundreds of thousands of life-bearing planets A 2003 study also showed how crystals that resemble nanobacteria could be grown in the laboratory by chemical processes.Ĥ. Other experts have suggested that the particles of magnetite were not so similar to those found in bacteria after all, and that contaminants from Earth are the source of the organic molecules. Under the electron microscope, NASA researchers also claimed to have spotted signs of “nanobacteria”.īut since then much of the evidence has been challenged. The meteorite was probably blasted off the surface of Mars in a collision, and wandered the solar system for some 15 million years, before plummeting to Antarctica, where it was discovered in 1984.Ĭareful analysis revealed that the rock contained organic molecules and tiny specs of the mineral magnetite, sometimes found in Earth bacteria. NASA scientists controversially announced in 1996 that they had found what appeared to be fossilised microbes in a potato-shaped lump of Martian rock. 1996, Martian “fossils” are discovered in meteorite ALH84001 from Antarctica Furthermore, natural sources of radiation from space usually cover a wider range of frequencies.Īs the nearest star in that direction is 220 million light years away, either a massive astronomical event – or intelligent aliens with a very powerful transmitter would have had to have created it. The signal was within the band of radio frequencies where transmissions are internationally banned on Earth. ![]() The 37-second-long signal was so startling that an astronomer monitoring the data scrawled “Wow!” on the telescope’s printout. In August 1977 an Ohio State University radio telescope detected an unusual pulse of radiation from somewhere near the constellation Sagittarius. 1977, The unexplained extraterrestrial “Wow!” signal is detected by an Ohio State University radio telescope They argue that the other experiments on board were ill-equipped to search for evidence of the organic molecules – a key indicator of life.Ģ. Despite that, one of the original scientists – and others who have since re-analysed the data – still stand by the finding. ![]()
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