Drake's Equation Simulator
Tim Perdue
This is a java-applet-based simulator based on Drake's Equation. I have changed the usage of Drake's Equation slightly. In this simulation, you are looking down on the galaxy as civilizations crop up and begin expanding out into the galaxy.
- Instead of using an "average life span", I interpret that as "what is the probability of destruction in a particular year".
- There is now a "Threshold" at which a civilization becomes permanent and does not face destruction. It is fair to assume that once a civilization reaches the stars and survives several hundred years of technological advancement, it will survive anything. For best results, "Threshold" should be equal to or greater than "Speed Factor".
- There is a speed with which the civilization moves out amongst the stars, as a fraction of light speed.
- There is a "Speed Factor" which determines how many years are grouped as one for the probability calculations. If you go much beyond 1,000, the probability of survival becomes close to zero, and all of your civilizations will die off in the first round.
- "Iterations" determines how many years are simulated. If you have a "Speed Factor" of 1,000 and run 1,000 iterations, that is 1,000,000 simulated years.
- The source code is available as GPL "Open Source" software. Please modify and send me your improvements. Galaxy.java, Civilization.java, Plotter.java