There could be more than 30 alien civilizations in the Milky Way, shocking study says

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

Quote

 

If extraterrestrial civilizations exist, we may not have to go too far to find them.

A new study from researchers at the U.K.'s University of Nottingham suggests there are 36 planets in the Milky Way galaxy, a calculation the experts have dubbed "the Astrobiological Copernican Limit."

“The classic method for estimating the number of intelligent civilizations relies on making guesses of values relating to life, whereby opinions about such matters vary quite substantially," the study's lead author, Tom Westby, said in a statement. "Our new study simplifies these assumptions using new data, giving us a solid estimate of the number of civilizations in our Galaxy."

 

https://www.foxnews.com/science/more-than-30-alien-civilizations-in-milky-way

 

When you factor how massive the Milky Way truly is, it doesn't seem that improbable, but I think it's cool understanding where we are and where we relate to the rest of the Galaxy (that we aren't simply sitting still but are within different systems moving at different speeds), it's stunning how infinitesimal we are even in our own galactic neighborhood:

 

Here's an estimated look at our Galaxy and you can see where we are:

 

 

 

Here's the oscillations our solar system makes when orbiting, which is useful in understanding when seeing the video:

 

Here is a rough idea of what our solar system looks like traveling around the Milky Way's galactic center (with a 230 million year orbit), the trails being just to help people visualize direction (people take issue with the "vortex" label):

 

Another, more apparently "accurate" visualization with the same trail effects to aid:

 

 

 

[Ban Hammer 13,550]

this makes me want to play stellaris again.

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

1 minute ago, Ban Hammer said:

this makes me want to play stellaris again.

What's that?

 

I remember some space board game as a kid, wish I knew what it was. Just remember the planets and a ton of moons.

[Dashinka 24,793]

When I see stories like this, I am always reminded of the sage words of Jack Burton.

 

“I'm not saying I've been everywhere and I've done everything. But I do know this is a pretty amazing planet we live on here. And a man would have to be some kind of fool to think we're all alone in this universe.”

 

 

Edited June 16, 2020 by Dashinka

[Ban Hammer 13,550]

21 minutes ago, Burnt Reynolds said:

What's that?

 

I remember some space board game as a kid, wish I knew what it was. Just remember the planets and a ton of moons.

it's like master of orion (also called MOO) on steroids.

[Just Paul 4,595]

If they come to visit us this year then I get to fill in one more square on my "things that won't happen this year" bingo board.

[Ban Hammer 13,550]

29 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

If they come to visit us this year then I get to fill in one more square on my "things that won't happen this year" bingo board.

they are scheduled for july, remember independence day?

[TBoneTX 46,122]

I'm reminded of a "Herman" comic (Jim Unger) that showed a rich Martian-type alien who has landed and is talking to a lumpy human:  "Sorry, pal -- I just bought the planet.  I want you and all your buddies off of here by Thursday."

[Just Paul 4,595]

16 hours ago, Ban Hammer said:

they are scheduled for july, remember independence day?

My favorite movie of things that didn't happen at area 51!