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New numerical determination of habitability in the Galaxy: the SETI connection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2017

Rodrigo Ramirez ,
Marco A. Gómez-Muñoz ,
Roberto Vázquez  and
Patricia G. Núñez
Rodrigo Ramirez*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 877, 22800 Ensenada, BC, Mexico
Marco A. Gómez-Muñoz
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 877, 22800 Ensenada, BC, Mexico Instituto de Estudios Avanzados de Baja California, A.C., Blvd. Tte. Azueta 147, Edif. Matematiké Planta Baja, 22800 Ensenada, BC, Mexico
Roberto Vázquez
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 877, 22800 Ensenada, BC, Mexico
Patricia G. Núñez
Affiliation:
Instituto de Estudios Avanzados de Baja California, A.C., Blvd. Tte. Azueta 147, Edif. Matematiké Planta Baja, 22800 Ensenada, BC, Mexico
*
e-mail: rramirez@astrosen.unam.mx
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Abstract

In this paper, we determine the habitability of Sun-like stars in the Galaxy using Monte Carlo simulations, which are guided by the factors of the Drake Equation for the considerations on the astrophysical and biological parameters needed to generate and maintain life on a planet's surface. We used a simple star distribution, initial mass function and star formation history to reproduce the properties and distribution of stars within the Galaxy. Using updated exoplanet data from the Kepler mission, we assign planets to some of the stars, and then follow the evolution of life on the planets that met the habitability criteria using two different civilization hypotheses. We predict that around 51% of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone (HZ) are inhabited by primitive life and 4% by technological life. We apply the results to the Kepler field of view, and predicted that there should be at least six Earth-like planets in the HZ, three of them inhabited by primitive life. According to our model, non-technological life is very common if there are the right conditions, but communicative civilizations are less likely to exist and detect. Nonetheless, we predict a considerable number of detectable civilizations within our Galaxy, making it worthwhile to keep searching.

Keywords

Drake equationhabitabilityhabitable worldsKepler fieldSETI
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , January 2018 , pp. 34 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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