On Sun, 05 Mar 2017 12:34:51 +0000 (GMT), Jim Lesurf
wrote:

In article , Don Pearce
wrote:

That's my take on the numbers too. The process reminds me a bit of the
nonsensical Drake equation.

Well, the *equation* is quite logical. The snag is to fill in sensible
values for the variables. :-)

There has been some progress with this in the last decade or so as we've
finally begun being able to detect and examine extra-Solar planets. Finding
'life' is a bit harder, though. 8-]

Jim

The variables are part of the problem, but it is also quite an
ill-conditioned equation.

As for the variables themselves, it looks like planets are far more
ubiquitous than it allowed for. It seems that every star that can be
imaged has planets. I suspect that is going to be the case generally -
if there is enough "stuff" to make a star, there will be enough left
over to form planets as well.

d

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