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Craig Michaud

Craig Louis Michaud. (Born July 13, 2001)

Drake Equation and Alien Life

The Drake equation is:

$N=R_{*}\cdot f_{\mathrm {p} }\cdot n_{\mathrm {e} }\cdot f_{\mathrm {l} }\cdot f_{\mathrm {i} }\cdot f_{\mathrm {c} }\cdot L$

where:

N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible (i.e. which are on our current past light cone);

and

R_∗ = the average rate of star formation in our galaxy

f_p = the fraction of those stars that have planets

n_e = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets

f_l = the fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point

f_i = the fraction of planets with life that actually go on to develop intelligent life (civilizations)

f_c = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space

L = the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space

The concept of the Drake equation is for the number of potential alien civilizations; civilizations which model our understanding of biology. In a panel at UTSA, Michaud argued that "Life finds a way" quoting the Jurassic park movie. In his argument he stated that the Drake Equation only applies to our understanding of Carbon Lifeforms; Michaud went on to argue that life could theoretically take shape in many forms. Carbon biased life forms; life forms which base material is Carbon atoms. Michaud explained that carbon can bind with tons of materials, and as such; carbon based lifeforms on other planets could be constituted from different elements, such as Florine or Boron. He argued that the Drake Equitation only accounts for planets that humans could live on, with minor adjustments to the planetary structure. As such it is possible for Carbon based lifeforms to be constituted in different environment, ones that we could not exist in. Michaud argued that n_e, f_l, f_i are irreverent and that not only could carbon based lifeforms exist on other planetary conditions, but they could also exist in conditions such as gas giants, as long as carbon atoms are sufficient enough for the random events that create life to occur. After a long twenty minute explanation he switched to elaborate the idea that carbon based life might not be the only type. Michaud argued that Hydrogen and Helium have been around since the beginning of time, and therefore have the best chance of having the random events that create life. Michaud explained that Hydrogen and Helium based lifeforms would most likely live without a planetary surface, as the abundance of both atoms exist in massive quantities in space. He joked that if space whales were real, they would be a hydrogen based lifeforms. Next he made claims for different planet based lifeforms. Michaud started by saying that if there was enough quantity that lifeforms could take shape on any element on the periodic table, he recanted that statement and clarified that it would be the most of the first thirty elements. Michaud's argument was followed by two major lifeforms, Iron based and Silicon based. Michaud examined carbon life as we know it and presented iron as a possible base for lifeforms. He joked about Transformers, and how how lifeforms could take that type of shape. He then talked about other types of metals and the chemical properties that they have, stating that metallic life is a very serous possibility. Next he talked about silicon, and how its lifeforms would be very similar to carbon. Michaud discussed the implications that silicon could take up identical shape to DNA and other basic carbon life structures. He concluded the lecture/argument by saying that not only is alien life possible, but that this life could be living in our own solar system.