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Extraterrestrial

SETI focuses efforts on known exoplanets

By T.K. Randall
February 11, 2013 · Comment icon 94 comments

Image Credit: NRAO/AUI
An effort to listen out for intelligent aliens in the direction of stars with planets has drawn a blank.
As the number of known planets around distant stars increases, astronomers at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence have been keen to use this information in their efforts to locate alien life. Between February and April 2011, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia was pointed towards 86 stars known to harbor potentially habitable planets in the first directed search of its kind.

Unfortunately, despite picking up some interesting signals, analysis eventually indicated that none of them were evidence of an alien civilization and it was concluded that the search had come up empty.
More advanced civilisations might have more power to play with and so be easier to see. In particular, civilisations that have harnessed all the energy from their star–so-called Kardashian Type II civilisations - ought to be easy to spot.


Source: Technology Review | Comments (94)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #85 Posted by Frank Merton 11 years ago
but they woudln't be detecatble over the vast distances of space, is the point. Nor would electromagnetic noise that wasn't specifically directed at us, by a very powerful transmitter. It depends on how advanced a society it is. Our radio if feeble, but if we wanted to talk (talk isn't really the word -- transmit information) to a large distributed culture, it would be powerful enough that we would detect it.
Comment icon #86 Posted by Frank Merton 11 years ago
The more I think about it the more persuaded I become that the reason they aren't out there and haven't been here is that at some point everyone discovers inner space (perhaps just virtual realities but perhaps some technology that involves having one's own dimensions). Another possibility is they all become traditional Buddhist monks -- now that would shut down science fast enough.
Comment icon #87 Posted by Lilly 11 years ago
...Actually, to the best of my knowledge Drake's equation suggests no such thing. Drake's equation is merely a probability spelled out and whatever it suggests is solely based on the numbers stuffed into it. Numbers we can currently only offer guesses towards. Correct, the Drake Equation is a formula that allows one to figure probability based on various factors that could lead to intelligent civilizations. Much of the equation's variables are simply guess work due to our not having specific information. In others words, the Drake Equation just allows us to make an "educated guess".
Comment icon #88 Posted by Frank Merton 11 years ago
I must admit that I have always looked at the Drake Equation as a waste of time: an attempt to link an illusion of precion to something where precision is impossible. One can even question whether or not he has adequately captured all the variables.
Comment icon #89 Posted by Atentutankh-pasheri 11 years ago
And all the equipment that is used for SETI, it is trained on the cosmos, and not at Earth? I simply wondered is all, about not detecting any intelligent life.....
Comment icon #90 Posted by Tesla II 11 years ago
Mah... If it could happen on this planet it could happen anywhere else.. life that is..
Comment icon #91 Posted by seeder 11 years ago
I must admit that I have always looked at the Drake Equation as a waste of time: an attempt to link an illusion of precion to something where precision is impossible. One can even question whether or not he has adequately captured all the variables. As said already, Drakes EQ is a set of assumptions and has its critics.. Criticism Criticism of the Drake equation follows mostly from the observation that several terms in the equation are largely or entirely based on conjecture. Thus the equation cannot be used to draw firm conclusions of any kind. As Michael Crichton, a science fiction author, s... [More]
Comment icon #92 Posted by badeskov 11 years ago
As said already, Drakes EQ is a set of assumptions and has its critics.. Criticism Criticism of the Drake equation follows mostly from the observation that several terms in the equation are largely or entirely based on conjecture. Thus the equation cannot be used to draw firm conclusions of any kind. As Michael Crichton, a science fiction author, stated in a 2003 lecture at Caltech:[37] The problem, of course, is that none of the terms can be known, and most cannot even be estimated. The only way to work the equation is to fill in with guesses. [...] As a result, the Drake equation can have an... [More]
Comment icon #93 Posted by DONTEATUS 11 years ago
I would like to add my sad two cents to this. In my honest opinion, one cannot critique the Drake equation unless one has an issue with the number of factors in it. It is merely a probability equation. What one can critique is the values put into it. Just like one can't really critique a mortgage calculator, whereas one can critique the numbers entered into it. Cheers, Badeskov Hey Badeskov`s was that your toy zappin that Drone last week ?
Comment icon #94 Posted by Occams Razor 11 years ago
Actually, to the best of my knowledge Drake's equation suggests no such thing. Drake's equation is merely a probability spelled out and whatever it suggests is solely based on the numbers stuffed into it. Numbers we can currently only offer guesses towards. True, Drakes "equation" is an estimate based on probability, based on Drakes personal opinion. But the figure of 10,000 civilizations is what Drake comes up with himself when he 'stuffs in' his figures. Yes and no. Given that electromagnetic radiation is, to the best of our knowledge, one of the most efficient means to do radar and long dis... [More]


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