Radio searches for large-scale extraterrestrial organisms

C. Stuart Bowyer

doi:10.1117/12.278781

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11 July 1997 Radio searches for large-scale extraterrestrial organisms

C. Stuart Bowyer

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Proceedings Volume 3111, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Microorganisms; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.278781
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A variety of means can be employed to search for extraterrestrial life. Large-scale extraterrestrials are reasonably expected to have developed intelligence (since intelligence is selectively advantageous) and technology (since technology also provides advantages). In the expectation/hope that more advanced extraterrestrials will be sending an announcement signal to help us make contact and share in our galactic heritage, more than 30 radio searches have been carried out over the last 40 years. Current searches are up to 4 orders of magnitude more sensitive and cover up to 10⁸ more bandpass than the original searches. An overview of the rationale behind these searches and the current status of this work is provided.

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C. Stuart Bowyer "Radio searches for large-scale extraterrestrial organisms", Proc. SPIE 3111, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for the Investigation of Extraterrestrial Microorganisms, (11 July 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.278781

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