Sep 29, 2023 08:56 PM
https://www.universetoday.com/163349/if-...ght-years/
EXCERPTS: Prof. Madau is a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Central to his study is the Copernican Principle, named for famed Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, inventor of the heliocentric model. Also known as the Cosmological Principle (or Mediocrity Principle), the principle states that neither humans nor Earth are not in a privileged position to observe the Universe. In short, what we see when we look upon the Solar System and out into the cosmos is representative of the whole.
For his study, Madau considered how time-dependent factors have played a vital role in the emergence of life in our Universe. This includes the star formation history of our galaxy, the enrichment of the interstellar medium (ISM) by heavy elements (forged in the interior of the first population of stars), the formation of planets, and the distribution of water and organic molecules between planets. As Madau explained to Universe Today, the central role of time and age are not explicitly stressed in the Drake Equation...
[...] Madau argues that the Drake Equation is only part of the story. Looking beyond it, he created a mathematical framework to estimate when “temperate terrestrial planets” (TTPs) formed in our corner of the galaxy and microbial life could have emerged.
[...] Ultimately, Madau’s analysis showed that within 100 parsecs of the Sun, there may be as many as 10,000 rocky planets orbiting with their star’s HZs.... Another interesting takeaway from Madau’s mathematical framework indicates that most TTPs within 100 parsecs are likely older than the Solar System, confirming that we are a relative latecomer to the party!
Equally interesting are the implications this study could have on the search for extraterrestrial life. [...] Madau’s framework also indicated how far away the closest exoplanet harboring life could be: “So, if microbial life arose as soon as it did on Earth in more than 1% of TTPs (and that is a big if), then one expects the closest, life-harboring Earth-like planet to be less than 20 pc away [65 light-years],” he said.
[...] Of course, there are no guarantees that any TTPs near our Solar System could support life. The causes and commonality of abiogenesis is one of the least-understood scientific pursuits, mainly because it is so data-poor. Armed with only one example (Earth and terrestrial organisms), scientists cannot confidently say what combination of conditions is necessary for life to emerge. Madau also stresses that (like the Drake Equation), his approach is statistical in nature. Nevertheless, his work could have significant implications for astrobiology in the near future... (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: Prof. Madau is a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Central to his study is the Copernican Principle, named for famed Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, inventor of the heliocentric model. Also known as the Cosmological Principle (or Mediocrity Principle), the principle states that neither humans nor Earth are not in a privileged position to observe the Universe. In short, what we see when we look upon the Solar System and out into the cosmos is representative of the whole.
For his study, Madau considered how time-dependent factors have played a vital role in the emergence of life in our Universe. This includes the star formation history of our galaxy, the enrichment of the interstellar medium (ISM) by heavy elements (forged in the interior of the first population of stars), the formation of planets, and the distribution of water and organic molecules between planets. As Madau explained to Universe Today, the central role of time and age are not explicitly stressed in the Drake Equation...
[...] Madau argues that the Drake Equation is only part of the story. Looking beyond it, he created a mathematical framework to estimate when “temperate terrestrial planets” (TTPs) formed in our corner of the galaxy and microbial life could have emerged.
[...] Ultimately, Madau’s analysis showed that within 100 parsecs of the Sun, there may be as many as 10,000 rocky planets orbiting with their star’s HZs.... Another interesting takeaway from Madau’s mathematical framework indicates that most TTPs within 100 parsecs are likely older than the Solar System, confirming that we are a relative latecomer to the party!
Equally interesting are the implications this study could have on the search for extraterrestrial life. [...] Madau’s framework also indicated how far away the closest exoplanet harboring life could be: “So, if microbial life arose as soon as it did on Earth in more than 1% of TTPs (and that is a big if), then one expects the closest, life-harboring Earth-like planet to be less than 20 pc away [65 light-years],” he said.
[...] Of course, there are no guarantees that any TTPs near our Solar System could support life. The causes and commonality of abiogenesis is one of the least-understood scientific pursuits, mainly because it is so data-poor. Armed with only one example (Earth and terrestrial organisms), scientists cannot confidently say what combination of conditions is necessary for life to emerge. Madau also stresses that (like the Drake Equation), his approach is statistical in nature. Nevertheless, his work could have significant implications for astrobiology in the near future... (MORE - missing details)