Extraterrestrial

New technologies set to 'transform' the search for alien life

By T.K. Randall
July 14, 2024 ·  64 comments

Telescopes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0 Morganoshell Launched back in 2016 with the help of the late physicist Professor Stephen Hawking and Israeli entrepreneur Yuri Milner, Breakthrough Listen's goal is to scour the night sky for signs of alien 'technosignatures' out in deep space.

Widely considered to be the most comprehensive search for extraterrestrial intelligence ever undertaken, the project has utilized more than $100 million in funding to scour the heavens using state-of-the-art telescopes for evidence that we are not alone in the universe.

At its annual conference this week, the group is reportedly set to reveal a number of new technologies and innovations that will 'transform' the search for alien life.

"There are amazing technologies that are under development, such as the construction of huge new telescopes in Chile, Africa and Australia, as well as developments in AI," said project scientist Steve Croft."They are going to transform how we look for alien civilizations."

These new telescopes include the Square Kilometer Array, which is made up of hundreds of separate radio telescopes, as well as the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile which, once operational, will be able to photograph the entire night sky at once and discover countless new stars and galaxies.

"Until now, we have been restricted to looking for signals deliberately sent out by aliens to advertise their existence," said Croft.

"The new techniques are going to be so sensitive that, for the first time, we will be able to detect unintentional transmissions as opposed to deliberate ones and will be able to spot alien airport radar, or powerful TV transmitters - things like that."

Source: The Guardian | Comments (64)

Tags: Alien, Extraterrestrial