The search for extra-terrestrial intelligence: current status and future prospects

Stuart Bowyer

doi:10.1117/12.2188727

11 September 2015 The search for extra-terrestrial intelligence: current status and future prospects

Stuart Bowyer

Proceedings Volume 9606, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XVII; 96060A (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188727
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The idea that credible searches for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (ETI) could be carried out were laid out in detail in a classic paper by Morrison and Cocconi (1959).1 They suggested using the radio band for these searches. Since then radio searches have been carried out by over sixty different groups. No signals from ETIs have been identified. In this paper I will discuss the argument for the existence of extra-terrestrial intelligence. I will provide a method to estimate the number of extragalactic civilizations that are capable of signaling us and consider the uncertainties inherent in this estimate. I will provide the rationale for searching for these signals in the radio band. Finally I will discuss the future prospects for this endeavor.

Citation Download Citation

Stuart Bowyer "The search for extra-terrestrial intelligence: current status and future prospects", Proc. SPIE 9606, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XVII, 96060A (11 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188727

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