Alien Mindscapes—A Perspective on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Cabrol, Nathalie A.

doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1536

Cited by 66 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 183 publications

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“…radio and optical signals) and artifact technosignatures (e.g. megastructures and artificial lights); for reviews of this subject, the reader may consult Tarter (2001), Wilson (2001), Wright et al (2014b) and Cabrol (2016). The survey volume, i.e.…”

Section: Number Of Worlds Detectable Through Technosignaturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative Likelihood of Success in the Search for Primitive versus Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life

Lingam

Loeb

2019

Astrobiology

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We estimate the relative likelihood of success in the searches for primitive versus intelligent life on other planets. Taking into account the larger search volume for detectable artificial electromagnetic signals, we conclude that both searches should be performed concurrently, albeit with significantly more funding dedicated to primitive life. Based on the current federal funding allocated to the search for biosignatures, our analysis suggests that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) may merit a federal funding level of at least $10 million per year, assuming that the average lifetime of technological species exceeds a millennium.

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Section: Number Of Worlds Detectable Through Technosignaturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative Likelihood of Success in the Search for Primitive versus Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life

Lingam

Loeb

2019

Astrobiology

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“…It's unknown if life exists elsewhere, or how often it might be intelligent and produce detectable signals, but the possibility of electromagnetic signaling permits searching on a very large scale. Many other search strategies are possible (Cabrol 2016) such as looking biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets transiting their stars (Ehrenreich et al 2006), but signaling has a much larger potential range. Radio signals can span our entire galaxy and reach between galaxies, allowing an enormous number of stars to be sampled, and observing many stars presumably improves the chances of finding one of interest.…”

Section: The Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligencementioning

confidence: 99%

A VLA Search for Radio Signals from M31 and M33

Gray¹,

Mooley²

2017

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Observing nearby galaxies would facilitate the search for artificial radio signals by sampling many billions of stars simultaneously, but few efforts have been made to exploit this opportunity. An added attraction is that the Milky Way is the second-largest member of the Local Group, so our galaxy might be a probable target for hypothetical broadcasters in nearby galaxies. We present the first relatively high spectral resolution (<1 kHz) 21-cm band search for intelligent radio signals of complete galaxies in the Local Group with the Jansky VLA, observing the galaxies M31 (Andromeda) and M33 (Triangulum)-the first and third largest members of the group respectively-sampling more stars than any prior search of this kind. We used 122 Hz channels over a 1 MHz spectral window in the target galaxy velocity frame of reference, and 15 Hz channels over a 125 kHz window in our local standard of rest. No narrowband signals were detected above a signal-tonoise ratio of 7, suggesting the absence of continuous narrowband flux greater than approximately 0.24 Jy and 1.33 Jy in the respective spectral windows illuminating our part of the Milky Way during our observations in December 2014 and January 2015. This is also the first study in which the upgraded VLA has been used for SETI.

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“…Others, however -evolutionary biologists, in particular -are not impressed by that number and remain skeptical concerning ETI (e.g. Simpson 1964;Mayr 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A probabilistic analysis of the Fermi paradox in terms of the Drake formula: the role of the L factor

Prantzos

2020

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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In evaluating the number of technological civilizations N in the Galaxy through the Drake formula, emphasis is mostly put on the astrophysical and biotechnological factors describing the emergence of a civilization and much less on its the lifetime, which is intimately related to its demise. It is argued here that this factor is in fact the most important regarding the practical implications of the Drake formula, because it determines the maximal extent of the "sphere of influence" of any technological civilization. The Fermi paradox is studied in the terms of a simplified version of the Drake formula, through Monte Carlo simulations of N civilizations expanding in the Galaxy during their space faring lifetime L. In the framework of that scheme, the probability of "direct contact" is determined as the fraction of the Galactic volume occupied collectively by the "spheres of influence" of N civilizations. The results of the analysis are used to determine regions in the parameter space where the Fermi paradox holds. It is argued that in a large region of the diagram the corresponding parameters suggest rather a "weak" Fermi paradox. Future research may reveal whether a "strong" paradox holds in some part of the parameter space. Finally, it is argued that the value of N is not bound by N=1 from below, contrary to what is usually assumed, but it may have a statistical interpretation.

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Alien Mindscapes—A Perspective on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Cited by 66 publications

References 183 publications

Relative Likelihood of Success in the Search for Primitive versus Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life

Relative Likelihood of Success in the Search for Primitive versus Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life

A VLA Search for Radio Signals from M31 and M33

A probabilistic analysis of the Fermi paradox in terms of the Drake formula: the role of the L factor

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