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Conservative estimates figure there are at least 100 billion stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, and there are at least 100 billion galaxies in the universe.
That’s 10²⁰.
A substantial number indeed.
Fermi’s Paradox (named for Italian physicist Enrico Fermi, 1901–1954, who was considered by many the father of the atomic bomb) asks why, if there is intelligent extraterrestrial life, humans do not know about it.
We have not heard from anyone.
Silence is not for lack of trying on our part. As part of the SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) project, Earth has sent out into the universe a probe with a query asking, if there is anyone or anything out there, let us hear from you.
To date there has been no response.
But, as Carl Sagan (1934–1996), American astronomer, once opined, in different context, “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.”
There may be any number of reasons the universe is silent.
Arthur C. Clarke (1917–2008), British sci-fi writer, author of the enormously popular ‘2001:A Space Odyssey,’ once opined, “2…
