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  • The Drake Equation: Estimating the Prevalence of Extraterrestrial Life through the Ages

    The Drake Equation by Vakoch, Douglas A.; Dowd, Matthew F.;

    Estimating the Prevalence of Extraterrestrial Life through the Ages

    Series: Cambridge Astrobiology; 8;

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      • Publisher's listprice GBP 140.00
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        66 885 Ft (63 700 Ft + 5% VAT)
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    66 885 Ft

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    Estimated delivery time: Expected time of arrival: end of January 2026.
    Not in stock at Prospero.

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    Delivery time is estimated on our previous experiences. We give estimations only, because we order from outside Hungary, and the delivery time mainly depends on how quickly the publisher supplies the book. Faster or slower deliveries both happen, but we do our best to supply as quickly as possible.

    Product details:

    • Publisher Cambridge University Press
    • Date of Publication 2 July 2015

    • ISBN 9781107073654
    • Binding Hardback
    • No. of pages340 pages
    • Size 252x178x19 mm
    • Weight 830 g
    • Language English
    • Illustrations 45 b/w illus.
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    Short description:

    Leading scientists and historians explore the equation that guides modern astrobiology's search for life beyond Earth.

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    Long description:

    In this compelling book, leading scientists and historians explore the Drake Equation, which guides modern astrobiology's search for life beyond Earth. First used in 1961 as the organising framework for a conference in Green Bank, West Virginia, it uses seven factors to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilisations in our galaxy. Using the equation primarily as a heuristic device, this engaging text examines the astronomical, biological, and cultural factors that determine the abundance or rarity of life beyond Earth and provides a thematic history of the search for extraterrestrial life. Logically structured to analyse each of the factors in turn, and offering commentary and critique of the equation as a whole, contemporary astrobiological research is placed in a historical context. Each factor is explored over two chapters, discussing the pre-conference thinking and a modern analysis, to enable postgraduates and researchers to better assess the assumptions that guide their research.

    'Now, over a half century after Drake's original formulation, Douglas Vakoch and Matthew Dowd have brought together a group of scholars to assess the equation's place in the history of astrobiology ... the Drake equation may reveal as much about the historical epistemology of science as it does about the ongoing search for a way to communicate with intelligent life in the universe.' Greg Eghigian, Isis

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    Table of Contents:

    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 Fran&&&231;ois 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 Stephan&&&233; 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 Dun&&&233;r; 14. Length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space, L, 1961 to the present Garry Chick; Afterword Paul Davies; Index.

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