The absence of detectable alien civilizations might have a surprising explanation: they could be thriving in parallel universes. A groundbreaking study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, posits that extraterrestrial life may be more likely to emerge in universes with conditions different from our own.
Led by astrophysicist Daniele Sorini of Durham University, the research revisits the famous Drake equation, a mathematical formula developed in the 1960s by astronomer Frank Drake to estimate the number of alien civilizations in the galaxy.
Sorini’s team reimagines the equation to incorporate the possibility of parallel universes, offering a radical new perspective on why humanity has yet to make first contact.
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Dark energy and multiverse: new lens on life’s origins
The study stresses the role of dark energy, a mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of the universe, in shaping the conditions for life. Sorini’s team suggests that universes with a more favorable density of dark energy might have a greater proportion of ordinary matter converted into stars, thereby increasing the likelihood of life emerging.
Their calculations reveal that a universe where 27 per cent of ordinary matter becomes stars would be more conducive to intelligent life. By comparison, only 23 per cent of ordinary matter in our universe is converted into stars, placing it at a relative disadvantage.
“Surprisingly, we found that even a significantly higher dark energy density would still be compatible with life, suggesting we may not live in the most likely of universes,” Sorini said in a statement accompanying the paper.
Bold idea with cosmic implications
While the notion of aliens existing in parallel universes might seem far-fetched, the researchers view their work as a bridge between cutting-edge physics and the enduring search for life beyond Earth. “Understanding dark energy and its impact on our universe is one of the greatest challenges in cosmology and fundamental physics,” Sorini explained.
Coauthor Lucas Lombriser, a cosmology professor at Université de Genève, noted the broader significance of the study. “Exploring the emergence of life across different universes could help us reinterpret some of the fundamental questions we ask about our own existence,” he said.
The research offers a compelling framework for probing the multiverse, merging speculative science with practical cosmological inquiry. Whether or not the multiverse holds the answer to the alien conundrum, the study underscores the potential of rethinking established models to unlock the mysteries of life’s origins.
