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14 - Technosignatures

from Part V - Detecting Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2024

Manasvi Lingam
Affiliation:
Florida Institute of Technology
Amedeo Balbi
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
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Summary

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) represents a well-known area of astrobiology. This chapter is dedicated to technosignatures, that is, markers produced by extraterrestrial intelligences (ETIs). The famous Drake equation for roughly estimating the number of communicative ETIs is introduced, its various factors are defined, and some of its shortcomings and implications for detecting technosignatures are discussed. Next, the Fermi paradox is delineated: if ETIs are widespread, where are they? Three major classes of solutions to this classic paradox (e.g., we are effectively alone) are considered, along with their accompanying ramifications. After a brief segue into the Kardashev scale for grouping ETIs, the final segment of the chapter categorises the diverse landscape of technosignatures – ranging from artificial radio and optical signals to atmospheric pollutants and waste heat arising from energy harvesting and dissipation – and outlines the current limits derived for the frequency of technosignatures, as well as the anticipated future constraints in this context.

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From Stars to Life
A Quantitative Approach to Astrobiology
, pp. 317 - 338
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Technosignatures
  • Manasvi Lingam, Florida Institute of Technology, Amedeo Balbi, Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
  • Book: From Stars to Life
  • Online publication: 22 November 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009411257.015
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  • Technosignatures
  • Manasvi Lingam, Florida Institute of Technology, Amedeo Balbi, Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
  • Book: From Stars to Life
  • Online publication: 22 November 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009411257.015
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Technosignatures
  • Manasvi Lingam, Florida Institute of Technology, Amedeo Balbi, Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
  • Book: From Stars to Life
  • Online publication: 22 November 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009411257.015
Available formats
×