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Science 3 February 1978:
Vol. 199. no. 4328, pp. 485 - 492
DOI: 10.1126/science.199.4328.485
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Articles

Extraterrestrial Intelligence: An Observational Approach

Bruce Murray 1, Samuel Gulkis 2, and Robert E. Edelson 3

1 Director, for Tracking and Data Acquisition Planning, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91103
2 Senior scientist, for Tracking and Data Acquisition Planning, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91103
3 SETI project manager and manager of Advanced Projects for Tracking and Data Acquisition Planning, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91103

The microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, a plausible regime for signals from extraterrestrial intelligences, is largely unexplored. With new technology, particularly in data processing and low-noise reception, surveys can be conducted over broad regions of frequency and space with existing antennas at flux densities plausible for interstellar signals. An all-sky, broad-band survey lasting perhaps 5 years can be structured so that even negative results would establish significant boundaries on the regime in which such signals may be found. The technology and techniques developed and much of the data acquired would be applicable to radio astronomy and deep-space communications.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Gravitational Lens of the Sun: Its Potential for Observations and Communications over Interstellar Distances.
V. R. ESHLEMAN (1979)
Science 205, 1133-1135
   Abstract »    PDF »
Voyager Telecommunications: The Broadcast from Jupiter.
R. E. Edelson, B. D. Madsen, E. K. Davis, and G. W. Garrison (1979)
Science 204, 913-921
   Abstract »    PDF »
A Search for Ultra-Narrowband Signals of Extraterrestrial Origin.
P. HOROWITZ (1978)
Science 201, 733-735
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)