Each and every work unit should be scanned for a non-random signal that does not correlate with a known clutter map in that segment of the sky. Such a signal should then be scanned for an intelligent message. It seems to me that this could be done all at once in the work unit or actually in a pre-processor coming right off of the antenna.

I have been under the impression that the software we run to analyze the packets of data our computers download has a means of flagging any interesting anomolies for a more detailed analysis. Otherwise, what is the point?

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

It is my impression that they are flagged for signal strength around the Lyman Hydrogen emission line. Whether or not they are correlated with repeat occurrences or checked for signs of intelligent modulation is not so clear in my mind.

In my way of thinking intelligence is more likely to be found in a one-time occurrence to begin with.

I also believe it would be a one off occurance (in our direction)
I also believe it wouldn't be a short pulse,but quite an extended
transmition.If you are going to flood the sky with powerful (beamed)
transmitions, you would make the transmition a long one.
A week pointing here ,a week pointing there,etc.
Obviously you would have a bit of dispersion in the transmition
but your first objectives would be local stars,then (as we are recently discovering) possibly more distant stars with planets.
Then you may discover some of these planets are in what (you think
of) as a habitable zone(go for them !!)
But the transmition would not be a microsecond pulse,
nor would it be 1 or 2 seconds.
If we are looking for intelligent extraterrestrial life I think
we have to look for signals of an extended duration.

(probably wrong again)

john3760

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Dull, Dull, Dull...


If this has already been said, I apologize. I didn't read all posts thoroughly...

Planets are not the only place a signal might be found. Just having an ear pointed towards every known planet will not quarantee success. No matter how much money or time is spent on it.

AND, IMO, if a signal is found (and known about publicly), that will start an explosion of SETI-like endeavors world-wide. If there's one more signal out there (besides Earth-based signals), then there may be ...hundreds, thousands, or more?? Or none...

Search on!

LT

that will start an explosion of SETI-like endeavors world-wide

Right. People are going To Fund ET Signal Capture Enterprises. LOL. On a World-Wide Basis. LOL.

I'd love to see The ROI of these Endeavors. More Signals? Nope more WTF are we wasting this money for?

Yep, there will be An Explosion, but it would soon dwindle down to a barely heard fart.

Best to put money into A Moon Colony. The Grinch is right about that one.

DullDullDullDullnando

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May we All have a METAMORPHOSIS. REASON. GOoD JUDGEMENT and LOVE and ORDER!!!!!

you spelt quarantine wrong

We are not looking for any random signal.
We are looking for a supposed extraterrestrial signal.
The terra bit of that word presumes a planetary signal of some sort.

If we are not just looking for signals from other planets,
where else do you think extraterrestrial signals might come from?

john3760

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hello dull,I can't afford a moon base I can just afford this project ;)

john3760

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It is my impression that they are flagged for signal strength around the Lyman Hydrogen emission line. Whether or not they are correlated with repeat occurrences or checked for signs of intelligent modulation is not so clear in my mind.

Yes and yes. However, you will not be able to get all of the detection from just one WU (otherwise the volunteers could start doing their own independent searches with much confusion...).

In my way of thinking intelligence is more likely to be found in a one-time occurrence to begin with.

Unfortunately, there is far too much terrestrial interference for that to be possible. Only steady (persistent) or statistically significant repeating signals (repeat often enough to be seen) can be hoped to be found for our present capabilities.


In very brief, we are trawling through all the noise and any possible signals for anything that might be described as non-natural. There's various parameters for what is non-natural.

The data is also being used to investigate known natural signals in there to map out a 3d map of galactic hydrogen density and to search for a certain type of pulsar emission for example.


Roll on the "Nitpicker" so that we can see something of what is found in near-realtime. At the moment, I get the impression that there is a lot of database work needed yet to work through the results at present.


A vast collection of data sampling an even vaster search space and yet such a small drop in the galactic ocean!

Keep searchin',
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

If we are not just looking for signals from other planets,
where else do you think extraterrestrial signals might come from?

john3760

What about a displaced civilization, perhaps 'terra-forming' an uninhabitable planet to meet their needs? Or an alien probe or vessel in deep space, not near any particular star system?

Of course we think a planet of a particular type is a most likely signal source, but isn't that just another Earthly-prejudice? Just like we think water is essential for abundant life/intelligence because we have just one example to go by.


Lt

The prejudice toward water, carbon and oxygen being essential to life is backed up by a lot of chemistry.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Also; gravity in a certain range, circular orbit, temperature range moderation, magnetic field, ozone layer, oxygen atmosphere etc. for human-like life.

A metaphor in the following sense; Humanlike in the sense that they will be sentient beings whom have learned to communicate and evolve to a level of intelligence that not only equals ours but maybe has the same look and feal.

They need not look like us but then again they might.

Read "The black cloud" by Fred Hoyle, 1958. to find described an intelligent being which is not humanlike.
Tullio

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I doubt very much that any life on another planet will be humanlike.

I dunno, maybe I just lack imagination but I tend to think that intelligent alien life would be (very roughly) human-like. That assumes that this life is biological and that some variation of evolution is at play.

We would have to assume some sort of central data management system (i.e. a brain) and primary sensory organs located as close to the brain as possible (to minimize reaction times) plus have the sensory organs as high up as possible to extend their range as much as possible and, voila, you have a head on top.

It would need to be able to manipulate the local environment and be able to handle tools. So, some sort of hand that can grasp a tool. Some sort of appendage to put the hand on. How many appendages is debatable, but I would imagine an even number (odd numbers are not symmetrical and would probably take more brain power to operate.) Two would seem a good number. Four is possible but would seem wasteful and, over time, evolution abhors waste.

The thing would need to move around. I suppose it could slither like a snake or hop on a single springy trunk, but the precedent of two arms would make me think that it would go for two legs as well.

I realize that almost anything is possible but I would think that two arms, two legs and a head on top is a probably the most likely solution for an intelligence developing on an earth-like planet.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.

Albert Einstein

Hmmm, I understand your point, I just think that it would take more brain power to orchestrate the motion of five legs than it would take to keep two legs balanced.

Besides, imagine what a mess the lady-alien's shoe closets would be with five of everything. :D

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.

Albert Einstein

There are lots of different creepy-crawlies on earth that have more than two legs, but none (so far as we know) are intelligent. Possibly because much of whatever brain power it has is dedicated to making those eight legs work in harmony rather than holding abstract conversations on the requirements for intelligence.

Plus getting a foot rub from the significant other could take days.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.

Albert Einstein

A possibly intelligent Earth creature:

http://discovermagazine.com/2003/oct/feateye

My wife remembers an NPR story she listened to on the radio a few years ago about an octopus in a zoo somewhere that was turning off the constantly burning light above its water tank by shooting a stream of water at the light or the wall switch, tripping the safety, I suppose (she doesn't remember which)!

The workers noticed the light was off several times and stayed late a few evenings to see what was happening.

Fascinating stuff!


Lt

It could be that our configuration did the best job of stimulating our ancestor's brains into becoming what we are today. Reptilians had millions of years to develope but after reaching their "comfort zone" rose no higher. The same can be said for other branches of the tree of life. Once a species reaches it's comfort zone further developement slows to a crawl or is arrested. We humans have still not reached our comfort zone and hopefully continue to evolve. Boy did this thread wander off the trail.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Boy did this thread wander off the trail.

It is now wandering about near The Intersection of Moot Street and Dullnando Blvd.

DepartmentOfDullnando

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May we All have a METAMORPHOSIS. REASON. GOoD JUDGEMENT and LOVE and ORDER!!!!!