Astro 250: Astronomy Bizarre

UNIT 4: LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

• The Drake Equation -- or, what was the question?
• Conditions for life on Earth, Mars, and elsewhere
• Unique? or Common? The Drake Equation Factors
  • Stars like our Sun
  • Planetary systems beyond our own
  • The concept of the habitable zone - n_e
    • Liquid water - right distance from Sun
    • time to develop and grow
  • Biological/sociological factors
    • Earth life timeline
    • development of intelligence/civilization

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• Search Strategies
  • Direct travel? Nah
  • Radio communication: frequencies, power and technique, message contents
  • Probability of success vs. funds and equipment
• What if we do find them?
• if time...
  Cosmic Catastrophes, the Dinosaurs, and Our Future