Two hundred highly developed civilizations and Endeavour returning to Florida

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. You may notice that this and future entries are shorter than usual; career, family and book deal commitments have forced me to cut back some of my projects. Now, here's today's news:
g Stars - Most of the stars in the Milky Way are born alone and live out their lives without partners, a new analysis suggests. If true, the work overturns standard theories that stars are born in broods and also suggests planets – and potentially life – may be more common in the galaxy than thought. See article. Note: This article is from 2006.
g Life - Scientists have developed a simulation of Mars, which indicates that some form of life could exist below the surface of the Red Planet. See article.
g Message -The founder of the scientific search for extraterrestrial civilizations Frank Drake believed that a minimum of 200 highly developed civilizations were hiding somewhere in our galaxy. See article.
g Cosmicus - The Space Shuttle Endeavour's piggy-back ride from California to Florida on a modified Boeing 747 could occur Monday, NASA announced this weekend. The flight had been tentatively slated for today. See article.
g Learning - In a 2007 essay on Space.com, SETI’s Edna DeVore smartly writes: “In the era of "Leave No Child Behind," I wonder when children find the time for their imaginations to spark and grow. In the classroom, often it's all about basics and test preparation. During out-of-school time, video games, television and earplug media leave little quiet time for mental exploration and development. When I consider gifts for children, I look for something that is both entertaining and mind expanding. I look for a good book; batteries not required.” Ah, words for the wise …