As technology advances, we begin to realize our mundane presence in the universe. And it is quite possible that we are just one among many civilizations existing in the galaxy.
The Possibility of Extraterrestrial Civilizations
Extraterrestrial life has always been a topic that fuels human imagination. We constantly wonder if there are other intelligent life forms in the universe and whether we could communicate with them.
In recent decades of exploration, humanity has increasingly believed in the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations. Particularly with advancements in science and technology, we have discovered a significant number of Earth-like planets, providing more room for the existence of alien life.
Earth is not a lonely existence. (Photo: Zhihu).
Recent research indicates that there are at least tens of billions of Sun-like stars in the Milky Way, and each star could have planets orbiting around it. This discovery makes “Earth-like planets”—those with size, mass, and distance from their host star similar to the distance from the Sun to Earth—more common. These Earth-like planets are predicted to have conditions suitable for life.
For instance, the Kepler Space Telescope has discovered a planet called Kepler-452b, which has a size and orbit similar to Earth. This planet lies within the habitable zone, where temperature and the relative presence of water are conducive to the existence of life.
There is also another planet named “Kepler-186f”, also located in the habitable zone, raising hopes for the existence of life. These findings suggest that planets with conditions similar to life on Earth could be quite common.
Extreme life forms on Earth also provide evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial life. (Photo: Zhihu).
In extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and frigid polar regions, scientists have discovered microorganisms capable of surviving and reproducing under harsh conditions. This indicates that the adaptability of life to environmental conditions may far exceed our imagination, suggesting that the search for extraterrestrial life in the universe is not limited to Earth-like environments.
Although we do not yet have convincing evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations, these findings and discoveries provide us with new hope for the existence of other civilizations in the universe. Humanity is currently making efforts to adjust telescope technology to detect further signs of extraterrestrial life, such as biomarkers. Additionally, scientists are striving to find environmental indicators on other planets, such as atmospheric composition and temperature, to understand whether conditions suitable for life exist.
While we are still uncertain about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life in the universe, based on the discovery of Earth-like planets and the existence of extreme life forms on Earth, the possibility of extraterrestrial life seems to be increasingly likely.
Regardless of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations, exploring the universe and pursuing the mysteries of life will continue to propel us forward and drive scientific and technological progress. (Photo: Zhihu).
The Number of Extraterrestrial Civilizations in the Galaxy
Extraterrestrial civilizations have always been humanity’s dream of exploring the universe. Scientists have estimated the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way through various methods and conjectures. According to their research, the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the galaxy is estimated to be around 36.
Scientists use the Drake Equation to estimate this. The Drake Equation was proposed by astrophysicist Frank Drake in 1961 to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations that might exist in galaxies similar to Earth in the Milky Way. The formula takes into account factors such as star formation rate, planet formation rate, the proportion of potentially habitable planets, the origin of life, and more.
According to scientists’ estimates, there are about 36 extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way. Although humanity has not yet obtained direct evidence, the exploration of the universe keeps us intrigued and hopeful about the existence of civilizations beyond Earth. (Photo: Zhihu).
Scientists have also conjectured this number based on research results in the field of extraterrestrial life and astronomy. They found that there are billions of stars in the Milky Way, many of which may have planets orbiting them. Furthermore, experimental findings regarding extraterrestrial life indicate that there are environments in the universe that could be suitable for life. All this information supports the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations.
Although scientists estimate that there are about 36 extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way, there is currently no direct evidence to prove this. So far, humanity has not received signals from extraterrestrial civilizations or discovered any evidence of their existence. Part of this may be due to our technological limitations and the vast size of the Milky Way, making contact with other civilizations relatively challenging.
Efforts to search for extraterrestrial civilizations in the universe have begun and have made some encouraging progress. For example, we can use radio telescopes to monitor electromagnetic signals from deep space and search for clues from extraterrestrial intelligence. At the same time, some scientists are searching for potentially habitable planets in other galaxies, where conditions might allow life to exist and thrive. (Photo: Zhihu).
However, with the advancement of science and technology and humanity’s deeper understanding of the universe, there will be more opportunities in the future to verify the accuracy of the Drake Equation and increase our chances of contact with other civilizations.
In the vast universe, almost every star could harbor the potential for life, which strengthens our hopes for the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations. (Photo: Zhihu).
