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Aliens from a parallel universe may exist, but we don’t know about it
New research suggests that while alien life may exist in our universe, the conditions here may not be the most optimal for its development.
In 1962, American astronomer Frank Drake introduced the Drake Equation, a formula designed to estimate the number of detectable extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way. As Popular Mechanics explains, the equation considers factors such as:
– The average rate of star formation in the galaxy;
– The proportion of stars with planetary systems;
– The number of planets per star capable of supporting life.
Beyond these, the equation also accounts for the likelihood of intelligent life emerging and developing technology for communication.
In a new study, researchers from Switzerland and the UK explored a specific aspect of the equation—how a fundamental force known as dark energy influences star formation and, in turn, the probability of intelligent life.
The team examined how different densities of dark energy affect the total number of stars formed throughout cosmic history.
Their model not only applies to our universe but also considers hypothetical universes with varying dark energy levels. In simple terms, the research assesses the likelihood of intelligent life across a multiverse.
The Role of Anthropic Thinking
To frame their study, the scientists turned to anthropic reasoning—the idea that certain properties of the universe can be inferred from the fact that we exist.
While much about the cosmos remains unknown, one fact is clear: life exists in at least one small corner of it. This, the researchers argue, provides a valuable starting point for understanding the broader characteristics of the universe.
Anthropic reasoning has previously been used to explain the presence of dark energy. In the late 1980s, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg proposed that the observed density of dark energy might be evidence of intelligent life.
Dark energy is a mysterious force believed to drive the accelerating expansion of the universe. While it is not explicitly included in the Drake Equation, it plays a crucial role in star formation—a key factor for life.
Just as life on Earth depends on the Sun, stars are essential for the emergence of intelligent beings elsewhere. By analyzing how varying amounts of dark energy impact star formation, scientists hope to understand the potential for life in other universes.
Daniele Sorini, PhD, a research fellow in cosmology and astrophysics at Durham University and the study’s lead author, explains:
“Since stars are a precondition for the emergence of life as we know it, we then ask whether it would be easier for intelligent life to spawn in our Universe, or in a hypothetical universe with a different dark energy content.”
The research team modeled star formation efficiency across different dark energy densities. They found that the highest number of stars would form in a universe where dark energy is about one-tenth of what we observe. This suggests that a universe with slightly less dark energy than ours would be more favorable for the emergence of intelligent life.
In this optimal scenario, 27% of ordinary matter would turn into stars, compared to only 23% in our universe. This means our universe is close to ideal conditions—but not quite perfect.
What If Our Universe Were Different?
The scientists then expanded their study to consider a multiverse, where each universe has a different dark energy density. Surprisingly, they found that 99.5% of these hypothetical universes have a higher dark energy density than ours.
While this might seem counterintuitive, the findings suggest an important pattern: individually, universes with higher dark energy contain fewer intelligent observers.
However, because there are so many such universes, the total number of intelligent observers across the multiverse remains significant.
The researchers emphasize that their work does not seek to prove the existence of a multiverse or detect extraterrestrial life. Instead, their findings offer a new perspective on how dark energy influences star formation—an essential factor in the emergence of intelligence.
By studying the connection between cosmic forces and life’s potential, scientists take another step toward answering one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the universe?
The post Aliens from a parallel universe may exist, but we don’t know about it appeared first on Anomalien.com.
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