A new theoretical model, inspired by the famous Drake Equation, offers insights into the likelihood of intelligent life emerging in our universe—and potentially in other hypothetical universes.

The Drake Equation, developed by astronomer Dr. Frank Drake in the 1960s, aimed to estimate the number of detectable alien civilizations in the Milky Way.

Now, over 60 years later, astrophysicists at Durham University have crafted a new approach that examines factors like the universe’s expansion and star formation rate, influenced by a mysterious force called dark energy.

Dark energy, making up over two-thirds of our universe, drives its accelerated expansion. Since stars are necessary for life as we know it, this new model estimates the probability of life emerging in both our universe and others, based on varying levels of dark energy.

Instead of calculating the exact number of life-bearing planets, it compares the odds of an intelligent observer existing in universes with different properties.