ERS103H5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Extremophile, Simple Algebra
Document Summary
Outer space: the ultimate game of hide and seek. 1961, frank drake derived an equation that used simple algebra to estimate the number of civilizations in the universe. While the theory behind the equation was correct, the equation had too many unknown variables to be applicable. His theories of extraterrestrial life helped form a new branch in science called astrobiology which studied life beyond earth1. Astrobiologists first had to identify where and how life could exist. Earth, identifying key characteristics that made it habitable: its climate and the presence of liquid water. The earth"s sun was used as the initial model for the type of heat-source that could regulate a planet"s climate. The distance from the heat-source was critical, too close would burn, too far would freeze. The next condition was the presence of liquid water which was used to transport nutrients within an organism. The criteria for life has evolved in the last two decades.
