In this chapter of The Big Bang Theory the protagonists apply the famous Drake equation, normally used to calculate the chances of contacting intelligent extraterrestrial beings, to the chances of ending up hooking up in a disco.
In 1961, one of the pioneers of SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence), the astronomer Frank Drake devised a very curious formula to calculate the chances of contacting extraterrestrial beings. This formula, known as the Drake equation, is as follows:
N = R * • fp • ne • fl • fi • fc • L
In this equation each of the parameters means the following:
N stands for the number of technologically advanced civilizations to be able to communicate with them.
R denotes the total number of stars in the Milky Way.
fp indicates the fraction of those stars that have planetary systems.
ne is the number of planets suitable for life, that is, located at the optimal distance from their star, for each planetary system.
fl is the fraction of those planets where life eventually develops.
fi indicates the fraction of those planets where intelligence is developed.
fc is the fraction of those planets where their hypothetical inhabitants are capable of communicating through interstellar signals.
L is the time during which this civilization lives.
If we were alone in the universe the value of N would be 1, while, as the values of the equation increase, the chances of ending up communicating with evolved extraterrestrial life increase. In any case, as the unknowns within the equation are very numerous, at present it is impossible to determine with certainty if this value is closer or closer to 1. That is, we have no idea whether we are alone in the galaxy or if intelligent life exists and capable of communicating with us hundreds of light years away.
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