Technosignatures for Detecting Intelligent Life in Our Universe: A Research Companion

Cover
Half-Title Page
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
1 Historical Perspectives: How the Search for Technosignatures Grew Out of the Cold War
	1.1 Introduction
	1.2 The Extraterrestrial Life Debate Gets Technical
	1.3 Finding the 21-cm Hydrogen Line
	1.4 The Role of the Space Race in Early CETI
	1.5 Same Planet, Different Civilizations
	1.6 Making
	1.7 Conclusion: Returning to L
	References
2 Reading the Cosmos: What Our Science Tells Us About the Science of Another World
	2.1 Introduction
	2.2 The Why and How of Interstellar Communication
	2.3 An Early Language
	2.4 A Language Based on Science
	2.5 Our Senses, Our Perceptions and Our Science
		2.5.1 Motion
		2.5.2 Space “in the small”
		2.5.3 Time
		2.5.4 Space “in the large”
		2.5.5 Mathematics
	2.6 Conclusion
	References
3 The Impact of Discovering the First Technosignature
	3.1 Introduction
	3.2 Cultural Impact Based on Analogous Historical Events
	3.3 Modeling the Impact Based on the Discovery’s Diffusion into Society
	3.4 Multimodal Diffusion into Knowledge Systems of Complex Publics
	References
4 Searching for Extraterrestrial Intelligence by Locating Potential ET Communication Networks in Space
	4.1 Introduction
	4.2 Concepts
	4.3 Case Study
	4.4 Conclusions
	Acknowledgements
	References
5 Habitable Mini-Earths with Black Hole Cores
	5.1 Introduction
	5.2 Surface Comfort
	5.3 Concept and Design
	5.4 Surface Conditions and Size
	5.5 Black Hole Core
	5.6 Mass Boosting and Terraformation
	5.7 Technosignatures
	5.8 Conclusion
	Acknowledgement
	References
6 Technosignatures in Time-Series Photometry
	6.1 Introduction
	6.2 Types of Technosignatures
		6.2.1 Dyson Spheres
		6.2.2 Transit Beacons
		6.2.3 Orbital Mirrors
		6.2.4 Lagrange-Point Starshades
		6.2.5 Geostationary Artifacts
		6.2.6 Laser Broadcasting and Planetary Cloaking
		6.2.7 Non-Keplerian Orbits
	6.3 Axis of Merit Discussion for These Technosignatures
	6.4 Methods
		6.4.1 Detectability of Time-Series Technosignatures
	References
7 Post-Detection Message Analysis and Comprehension
	7.1 Categorizing an ET Signal
		7.1.1 Megastructures
		7.1.2 Beamed Power and Propulsion Signals
		7.1.3 Intercepted Communication
		7.1.4 Intentional Communication
	7.2 The Interstellar Communication Relay
	7.3 The Processing Pipeline and Participants
	7.4 Demodulation
		7.4.1 Pulse Width Modulation
		7.4.2 Pulse Interval Modulation
	7.5 Combining Pulse Width and Pulse Interval Modulation
		7.5.1 Wavelength Multiplexing
		7.5.2 Information Carrying Capacity
	7.6 Data Extraction
		7.6.1 Transcription
		7.6.2 Structural Analysis
		7.6.3 Segmentation and Extraction
		7.6.4 Data Types
		7.6.5 Communicating Observables vs. Qualia
		7.6.6 Images
		7.6.7 Time Domain Signals
		7.6.8 Algorithms (Computer Programs)
		7.6.9 Solve For X Patterns
		7.6.10 Memory
		7.6.11 Modularity and Reuse
		7.6.12 Symbolic Communication Systems and Artificial Languages
		7.6.13 Genomic Information
		7.6.14 Other Data Types
	7.7 Classifying ETI Communication
		7.7.1 Static/One Way Communication
		7.7.2 Algorithmic Systems
		7.7.3 Statically Defined Programs
		7.7.4 Data-Driven Programs
		7.7.5 Machine Learning/Narrow AI
		7.7.6 Adaptive/Self-Learning Systems
	7.8 Risks of Contact
		7.8.1 Internal (Human Originated) Risks
			7.8.1.1 Interstate Competition and Interference
		7.8.2 Misinformation
		7.8.3 Societal Reaction
		7.8.4 External Risks
		7.8.5 Algorithms
			7.8.5.1 Malware
		7.8.6 Artificial Intelligence
		7.8.7 Genetic Information
		7.8.8 Unknown Unknowns
	References and Recommended Reading
8 Statistical Issues in the Search for Technosignatures
	8.1 Introduction
	8.2 General Issues
	8.3 Emission Processes
		8.3.1 Drake’s ND
		8.3.2 Average Number of Emission Processes at Earth
	8.4 Bayesian Inference from Non-Detection and Detection
	References
9 Economics and Technosignatures: New Connections
	9.1 The Different Faces of Economics
	9.2 Economics in the Context of NASA Astrobiology Roadmap and the Drake Equation
	9.3 Economics in the Context of Biosignatures vs. Technosignatures Research
	9.4 Economic Methodology and Epistemology into Astrobiology
	References
Index
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