A new study from Penn State challenges the long-held idea that intelligent life is rare, instead suggesting it may be more probable than previously thought. The research revisits the “hard steps” model, which argues that life is extremely rare due to a series of improbable evolutionary leaps.
In 1961, astrophysicist Frank Drake introduced the Drake Equation, a mathematical framework used to estimate the likelihood of technologically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way. Over time, advances in exoplanet science and astrobiology led to refinements of the equation, including an alternative formula by Canadian astrophysicist Sara Seager that considers detecting biosignatures.
The “hard steps” model, proposed by physicist Brandon Carter in 1983, suggests that life is rare due to a series of improbable evolutionary leaps. The new study reassesses this model, offering a fresh perspective on the idea that life may be more common than previously thought. Researchers are taking a critical look at several core assumptions rooted in historical geobiology.
The concept of habitable zones around stars has also been explored, with scientists examining factors like temperature, atmosphere, and liquid water to determine planetary habitability. Recently, Sara Seager introduced the idea of Hycean worlds – exoplanets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres and vast ocean-covered surfaces that could potentially support life. The study’s findings challenge existing theories and provide new insights into the probability of intelligent life in the universe.
Source: https://thedebrief.org/are-we-alone-intelligent-life-may-be-more-common-than-we-thought-new-penn-state-study-suggests