# Seager Equation

Not Reviewed
N =
Seager Equation
Variable Instructions Datatype
(N_*)"number of stars observed" Enter number of stars observed Decimal
(F_Q)"fraction of stars that are quiet" Enter fraction of stars that are quiet Decimal
(F_(HZ))"fraction of stars with rocky planets in the habitable zone" Enter fraction of stars with rocky planets in the habitable zone Decimal
(F_O)"fraction of those planets that can be observed" Enter fraction of those planets that can be observed Decimal
(F_L)"fraction of planets that have life" Enter fraction of planets that have life Decimal
(F_S)"fraction on which life produces a detectable signature gas" Enter fraction on which life produces a detectable signature gas Decimal
Type
Equation
Category
vCommons
Contents
6 variables
Rating
ID
EmilyB.Seager Equation
UUID
77d3f6dd-558d-11e6-9770-bc764e2038f2

The Seager Equation is a parellel version of the Drake Equation to estimate the number of  habitable planets in the galaxy. Instead of aliens with radio technology, Seager has revised the Drake equation to focus on simply the presence of any alien life detectable from Earth. The equation focuses on the search for planets with biosignature gases, gases produced by life that can accumulate in a planet atmosphere to levels that can be detected with remote space telescopes. The formula is: N=N_.*F_Q*F_(HZ)*F_O*F_L*F_S,  where:

• N = number of planets with detectable signs of life
• N_* = number of stars observed
• F_Q = fraction of stars that are quiet
• F_(HZ) = fraction of stars with rocky planets in the habitable zone
• F_O = fraction of those planets that can be observed
• F_L = fraction of planets that have life
• F_S = fraction on which life produces a detectable signature gas

## References

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Seager)