Is there anyone out there, across the galaxy, for real? This question is old for centuries, and we still find ourselves sometimes, troubling our minds with it.
A team of researchers has recently shed new light on with a study that states there could be over 30 intelligent civilizations across the galaxy. Here is what you need to know.
Recent Research Discusses Other Intelligent Life Forms Within Our Universe
Recent research realized by the University of Nottingham has taken a new approach to one of the longest-standing questions – if there are other intelligent civilizations within our Universe. Researchers have realized an estimate for the number of intelligent civilizations within the Milky Way, utilizing the presumption that intelligent life forms on other planets in the same way as it happens on Earth. They said that there could be more than 30 active communicating intelligent civilizations across the galaxy.
“The idea is looking at evolution, but on a cosmic scale; this calculation is the Astrobiological Copernican Limit,” stated Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Nottingham, Christopher Conselice.
The research indicates that the number of civilizations is based strongly on how much they are actively sending out signals of their existence into the Universe, such as radio transmission from satellites. If other civilizations survive as long as ours (currently 100 years old), there will be around 36 ongoing intelligent civilizations across our galaxy. But, the average length to those civilizations would be 17,000 light-years away, making communication and detection challenging with our actual technology.
It’s also possible that we are the only civilization in our galaxy unless the survival times of civilizations like ours are long. Prof. Conselice added: “By searching for extraterrestrial intelligent life, even if we find nothing, we are discovering our future and fate.” The research could also offer more clues for how long our civilization will last.
