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Observational program options and system requirements for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence /SETI/The possibility that intelligent life may be widespread in the universe is now being investigated. A formula for estimating the number of coexisting communicative civilizations has been developed by Drake. A good way of conducting a search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is to examine the microwave window of the electromagnetic spectrum for narrow-band signals which such civilizations may be transmitting. Two specific search strategies are described. Both employ existing antennas equipped with sophisticated multichannel spectrum analyzers and pattern recognition devices. The Ames Research Center proposal is a high sensitivity, high-resolution search of nearby promising stars and selected sky areas in the 'water hole' (1400-1727 MHz). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory proposal is for a survey of most of the sky over a significant portion of the free-space microwave window at lower sensitivities and resolutions. The approaches are complementary and both are being pursued. The consummation of these programs could achieve one of the most profound discoveries in the history of human civilization, or at least will show the way to future efforts.
Document ID
19790028496
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Billingham, J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wolfe, J. H.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Edelson, R. E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Gulkis, S.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Sadin, S. R.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Life sciences and space research XVI; Open Meetings of the Working Group on Space Biology
Location: Tel Aviv
Country: Israel
Start Date: June 7, 1977
End Date: June 18, 1977
Accession Number
79A12509
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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