DrakeEQ

Are we alone? Where is everybody?

We came up with DrakeEQ to provide a visual answer to the extraterrestrial question(s) using the stunningly elegant Drake Equation. We've coupled the calculator to a mesmerizing Milky Way in motion.

Perform beautiful thought experiments with this one-of-a-kind visual tool. DrakeEQ is both educational and entertaining.

At 8 years running, DrakeEQ is also one of the longest continuously supported apps on the entire App Store!

Use this fun simulator for the iPhone to graphically quantify the number of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations in our Milky Way Galaxy.

Are we alone?: DrakeEQ computes the advanced civilization count and draws them to the display.

Where is everybody?: DrakeEQ approaches the Fermi Paradox by positioning the civilizations in 3D space and computing the average distances between them.

Learn about the famous Drake Equation through direct manipulation of its 7 parameters with DrakeEQ. Easily tweak equation variables using fun drop-down manipulators.

• Enter direct parameter values with keyboard or step through values
• Average distance between civilizations calculator
• Tunable precision
• Highlight the solar system
• Change star system colors
• Tweet your results!

The Drake Equation states that:
N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible

where:
R* = the average rate of star formation in our galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

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