[RoN_Rancor]

I found the equation. It is called the Drake Equation. The equation is this:

N = R* X Fp X Np X Fe X Fl X Fi X Fc X L
Where:

N= # of civilizations in our galaxy right now that should be able to use radio signals

R* = rate that our galaxy produces stars (in solar masses per year)

Fp = the fraction of stars with planets

Np = average planets per star

Fe = fraction of Earth-like planets (suitable for life)

Fl = fraction of Fe planets that life developes on

Fi = fraction of Fl planets which intelligent civilizations arise

Fc = fraction of Fi planets which technological civilizations arise

L = lifetime of civilization in years


Since this is a multiplication problem, if any of the variables are close to zero, then the end total will be near zero.

This info is from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy

EDIT: Old Hag? I believe so. Is that the thing where people suffering from sleep paralysis thought there was a which sitting on them and it really scared the crap outta 'em? I did say that I believe only a very, very few abductions are real. I said most are hoaxes or sleep paralysis or the thing with magnetic/radio/or something playing tricks on the person. The only ones that I believe are the ones where the person is actually reported missing and their are multiple witnesses, ect. Of those, there are probably only a few of those that are real.

[ January 16, 2002: Message edited by: RoN_Rancor ]