The Search for Extraterrestrials

by Ross, Monte

• ISBN13: 9780387734538
• ISBN10: 0387734538
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• Publisher: Praxis

Summary

In The Search for Extraterrestrial Signals, Monte Ross explores in detail the key problems in starting a search, the programs that have failed and those that continue. He includes the fundamental considerations and the physics of the necessary laser, UV, IR and RF technologies, as well as coding and information theory considerations.The author explores future possibilities providing the reader with a comprehensive view of the many ways signals from aliens could be sent and explains why the search using RF leaves more than 99% of the electromagnetic spectrum unexamined. He also demonstrates the many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, considering the next likely steps in this unique enterprise. Given man's intrinsic nature to explore, the search will continue in one form or many, until success is achieved, which may be tomorrow or a millennium away.In summary, Monte Ross proposes to get around the failure of a fruitless search at radio frequencies by developing, in a precise way, the argument for searching for transmissions in the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. ix
Author's preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xv
The likelihood of extraterrestrial intelligence	p. 1
Vast distances and long travel times	p. 3
Stars, their evolution and types	p. 9
Planets and our Sun	p. 19
The many constraints on life	p. 25
Why would anyone transmit to us?	p. 33
The Drake Equation and habitable planets	p. 41
The basics of space communication	p. 57
Where to look in the electromagnetic spectrum?	p. 59
Receiver basics and how big is big?	p. 71
Noise and limitations on sensitivity	p. 81
	Programs in SETI
A brief history of SETI	p. 95
Radio-frequency and microwave SETI, including the Allen Telescope Array	p. 99
Early optical SETI and the all-sky Harvard system	p. 109
Possibilities in SETI	p. 125
The PhotonStar project	p. 127
Key issues for SETI	p. 135
Other parts of the spectrum, decoding the data and forming pictures	p. 143
Future systems for intercepting alien lasers	p. 153
Appendix	p. 165
Bibliography	p. 167
Index	p. 169
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