In a Few Decades, a New Generation of Powerful Telescopes

question 57

Multiple Choice

In a few decades, a new generation of powerful telescopes especially designed to find extrasolar planets may be operational and producing data. What might these results mean for the Drake equation?

• A) With these results in hand, the Drake equation will become irrelevant.
• B) The structure of the Drake equation itself will undoubtedly have to be drastically revised.
• C) Astronomers will have much better values for the factors f_p (the fraction of stars that have planets) and n_e (the number of planets per solar system that are Earthlike).
• D) Astronomers will have much better values for the factors f_l (the fraction of Earthlike planets on which life actually arises), f_i (the fraction of life-forms that evolve into intelligent species), and f_c (the fraction of intelligent species that develop adequate technology and then choose to send messages out into space).

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Definitions:

Oxaloacetate

A four-carbon molecule that participates in the citric acid cycle and gluconeogenesis within cells.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, where respiration and energy production occur.

Lactate

A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism in tissues, often associated with strenuous exercise or metabolic dysregulation.