First time on a forum like this? Here are some terms that you may or may not encounter, in case you don't wanna use Google. Astrobiology - The study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Drake Equation - The Drake equation is an idea, proposed by American astronomer Frank Drake in 1961, that the number of potential civilizations in the universe can be calculated if we know a few key variables. The formula for the Drake equation is:
N = R* x 𝑓p x ne x 𝑓1 x 𝑓i x 𝑓c x L N is the number of civilizations in the Milky Way whose electromagnetic emissions are detectable; R* is the average rate of star formation in our galaxy; fp is the fraction of those stars with planetary systems; ne is the number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life; fl is the fraction of these planets that actually develop life; fi is the fraction of life-bearing planets that develop intelligent life; fc is the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space; and L is the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space. Extraterrestrial (or ET) - Outside, or originating outside, the limits of the earth. A more official name for what common people might call an "alien." Fermi Paradox - The dichotomy between the high probability that extraterrestrial intelligence exists and the fact that we have no evidence for such aliens. SETI - Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence UAP - Unidentified Aerial (or Anomalous) Phenomena. Observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena, from a scientific perspective.
UFO - Unidentified Flying Object. Any unexplained moving object observed in the sky, especially one assumed by some observers to be of extraterrestrial origin. Zoo Hypothesis - Extraterrestrials are keeping their distance to allow humans to evolve without interference. This relates to the "Prime Directive" concept in Star Trek - a principle that Starfleet officers must refrain from contacting a species too early in their development or interfering with that development in any way - even at the expense of their lives.