A new study questions the approaches of the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations Project) community, hinting at a possible crisis of imagination among scientists. Columbia astronomer David Kipping noted in an interview for Universe Today that “SETI optimists” focusing on searches within our Milky Way might ignore broader possibilities.
Kipping, known for his YouTube channel Cool Worlds, along with co-author Geraint Lewis of the University of Sydney, believe that the famous Drake equation, which estimates the probable number of civilizations in our galaxy, may be unreliable.
In 1961, astronomer Frank Drake, at the first SETI meeting, developed an equation defining all the variables for detecting advanced life in a galaxy. This equation has been the subject of criticism, but according to Kipping and Lewis, the basic idea remains correct. They argue that there must be a certain number of civilizations in the galaxy, and they can be evaluated by appropriate parameters.
Astronomers suggest simplifying the equation, leaving only two variables – the birth and death rates of alien civilizations. According to this model, it is possible that humanity emerged during a time when other civilizations were rare or didn’t exist at all. However, this doesn’t rule out the presence of other civilizations outside our galaxy.
Kipping suggests that the Milky Way may be unusually quiet, and we may be only the first civilization in it. This may indicate that there are no more suitable places for life forms to exist in our galaxy. Therefore, it is worth focusing on extragalactic searches, which may give better results.Earlier we reported on how the US didn’t have any alien technology.
