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Klappentext Leading scientists and historians explore the equation that guides modern astrobiology's search for life beyond Earth. Zusammenfassung Exploring the astronomical! biological! and cultural factors that determine whether extraterrestrial life is abundant or rare! leading scientists and historians use the Drake Equation as a springboard to identify essential topics and guide their assumptions. An accessible overview of the field of astrobiology for both established and incoming researchers. Inhaltsverzeichnis List of contributors; Foreword Frank Drake; Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction Steven Dick; 1. Rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life, R*, pre-1961 David DeVorkin; 2. Rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life, R*, 1961 to the present Patrick François and Danielle Briot; 3. Fraction of stars with planetary systems, fp, pre-1961 Matthew F. Dowd; 4. Fraction of stars with planetary systems, fp, 1961 to the present Chris Impey; 5. Number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life, ne, pre-1961 Florence Raulin Cerceau; 6. Number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life, ne, 1961 to the present Danielle Briot and Jean Schneider; 7. Fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears, fl, pre-1961 Stephané Tirard; 8. Fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears, fl, 1961 to the present David J. Des Marais; 9. Fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges, fl, pre-1961 Michael Crowe; 10. Fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges, fl, 1961 to the present Lori Marino; 11. Fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space, fc, pre-1961 Florence Raulin Cerceau; 12. Fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space, fc, 1961 to the present Seth Shostak; 13. Length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space, L, pre-1961 David Dunér; 14. Length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space, L, 1961 to the present Garry Chick; Afterword Paul Davies; Index....