A prior post wrote about the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of other planets (N) in the galaxy with the ability to have interstellar communication. So if there are other civilizations in our galaxy, will we be able to communicate with them? Using radio waves that travel at the speed of light, the answer depends on the distance to these other planets. If we are lucky and one of our nearby stellar neighbors has a planet with intelligent life, this distance could be 4 to 10 light years away. Beginning with Proxima Centuri, our closest neighbor, there are about 10 solar systems within 10 light years of Earth. Exchanging messages with 4 to 10 years between sender and receiver would be trying for the most patient scientists but manageable for a civilization wishing to exchange knowledge. After several exchanges, two civilizations agreeing to share information, could simply start streaming the knowledge bases to each other.
If we're not lucky and our nearest intelligent neighbor is not 10 light years away, but hundreds, then communications are more challenging. If N is 10,000,000 then the typical distance between advanced civilizations is 100 light years. I put together a Google Sheet to calculate the answer to the Drake Equation and estimate the typical interstellar distance to advanced neighbors. You can make your own estimates; the sheet allows one to modify the assumptions of the factors that go into the Drake Equation: Drake Equation Calculator.
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