The Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence: Proceedings of the 2nd SETI-INAF Meeting 2019 (Springer Proceedings in Physics, 260)

This book presents the latest knowledge of the newly discovered Earth-like exoplanets and reviews improvements in both radio and optical SETI. A key aim is to stimulate fresh discussion on algorithms that will be of high value in this extremely complicated search. Exoplanets resembling Earth could well be able to sustain life and support the evolution of technological civilizations, but to date, all searches for such life forms have proved fruitless. The failings of SETI observations are well recognized, and a new search approach is necessary. In this book, different detection algorithms that exploit state-of-the-art, low-cost, and extremely fast multiprocessors are examined and compared. Novel methods such as the agnostic entropy and high-sensitivity blind signal extraction algorithms should represent a quantum leap forward in SETI. The book is of interest to all researchers in the field and hopefully stimulates significant progress in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Foreword Preface Acknowledgements SOC, LOC and Participants SOC LOC Participants Contents Contributors 1 KLT, A New Algorithm For SETI 1.1 Properties of the KLT 1.2 Algorithm 1.2.1 Features 1.2.2 Eigenvalue Decomposition References 2 SETI and Temporal Copernicanism 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Is Temporal Copernicanism Well-Defined? 2.3 SETI and Temporal Copernicanism 2.4 Conclusions References 3 The Newborn European Astrobiology Institute, a Big Opportunity for Outreach and Education 3.1 The Context 3.1.1 General Features of the European Astrobiology Institute 3.2 The Outreach, Media and Corporate Identity WG 3.2.1 Corporate Identity 3.3 The Education WG and Sci-Fi Project Team 3.3.1 Astrobiology Bingo Game 3.3.2 Sci-Fi Anthology References 4 Cherenkov Telescopes for Optical SETI 4.1 A Visionary Common Start 4.1.1 The Beginning of High-Energy Astrophysics 4.1.2 Searching for Interstellar Communications 4.2 The Current Situation 4.3 A Promising Future References 5 Organics on the Rocks: A Cosmic Origin for the Seeds of Life 5.1 Dust Thou Art 5.2 Making Complex Molecules from Simple Interstellar Ices 5.3 Is the Origin of Life Linked to Cosmic Chemistry? 5.4 Where Do We Go from Here? References 6 COGITO in Space 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Conceptual Background of the Project 6.3 COGITO in Space in Relation to Previous Interstellar Messages 6.4 Code for Interstellar Transmission 6.5 Performance at the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope 6.6 Conclusions References 7 SETI Program at the Medicina INAF Radioastronomy Station: Past, Present, Future of PC Based Spectrometers 7.1 Introduction 7.1.1 PC Based Spectrometers of the 90s at the Medicina Radio Astronomical Station 7.1.2 PC Hardware Evolution of the 2000s 7.1.3 New Design Guidelines for PC Based Spectrometers 7.2 The Design of the New Spectrometers 7.2.1 NewSpec: The First Approach for a New Spectrometer 7.2.2 Spectrometer’s Design Final Requirements 7.2.3 Spectrometer’s Hardware Design 7.2.4 Spectrometer’s Software Design 7.3 The New Spectrometer Line 7.3.1 First Pilot Project 7.3.2 Second Pilot Project 7.3.3 The New Final Spectrometers 7.3.4 The First Final Project 7.3.5 The Second Final Project 7.4 Spectrometers Tests 7.4.1 Lab Tests 7.4.2 SETI Observation Tests 7.4.3 NEO Observation Tests 7.5 Conclusions 7.6 Possible Future Developments References 8 Moon Farside Protection, Moon Village and PAC (Protected Antipode Circle) 8.1 History 8.2 The Year 2018 8.3 The Farside Spectrum Still is Not Polluted (in December 2020) Except in the S, X and UHF Bands 8.4 Queqiao and Chang’e 4 Communications Bands Above the Moon Farside 8.5 COSMOLOGY: Need for Ultra-Low Frequency Radio Astronomy in Space Within the Quiet Cone Above the Moon Farside, I.E. Just at the Lagrangian Point L2, Where Queqiao Is 8.6 SETI (Or “Technosignatures”, According to NASA’s 2018 “New Jargon”) 8.7 Past and Present Studies About the Moon Farside Protection 8.8 Summary About This author’s Work to Legally Protecting Radio Astronomy on the Farside and Within the Quiet Cone in the Space Above the Farside 8.9 Conclusions: The Moon Village Should Be Located Outside the PAC and Along the 180 Degrees Meridian, Possibly Close to the South Pole References 9 Exobiolab: Different Life on Different Planets 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Background Information 9.2.1 Ingredients to Sustain Life 9.2.2 Life on Exoplanets 9.2.3 Ecological Limit to Life 9.2.4 Mass Versus Gravity 9.2.5 Gravitropism 9.2.6 Biosignatures 9.3 The ExobioLaboratory 9.3.1 F Star—White Bulb 9.3.2 G Star—White-Yellow Bulb 9.3.3 K Star—Orange Bulb 9.3.4 M Star—Red Bulb 9.3.5 Plants on Exoplanets 9.4 Other Questions 9.4.1 The Future of Our Earth: A New Planet 9.4.2 Earth's Primordial Atmophere in Comparison to Other Exoplanets' Atmosphere 9.5 Conclusion References 10 Involvement of the Sardinia Radio Telescope in the Breakthrough Listen Initiatives 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Enhancement of the SRT for the Study of the Universe at High Radio Frequencies 10.3 Involvement of the SRT in the BL program 10.4 Conclusion and Future Remarks References 11 SETI Program at the Medicina INAF Radioastronomy Station: Past, Present, Future 11.1 Activities at the Medicina Radiotelescopes 11.1.1 Past 11.1.2 Present 11.1.3 Future 11.2 Some Considerations 11.3 Conclusion References 12 Searching for Life on Mars: A Brief Summary 12.1 Introduction 12.2 The Exploration of Mars 12.3 The Search for Life References 13 Getting Ready for the SKA SETI 13.1 A New Strategy for SETI Observation and Data Management 13.1.1 SKA Sensitivity for SETI 13.1.2 Commensal Observation Strategy and AI Computing References 14 SETI in Rocky Exoplanets: Narrowing the Search with Climate Models 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Thermal Limits of Multicellular Life 14.2.1 How Universal Are the Thermal Limits of Terrestrial Life? 14.3 Modelling the Surface Temperature of Rocky Exoplanets 14.3.1 A Temperature-Dependent Index of Complex-Life Habitability 14.3.2 Applications to Studies of Habitability for Complex Life 14.4 Conclusions References