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Lick Observatory Optical SETI: targeted search and new directions
R P S Stone1, S A Wright, F Drake
1Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, CA 95140, USA. rem@ucolick.org
Astrobiology
|October 18, 2005
Summary
Lick Observatory's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program observed thousands of nearby stars. While 14 candidate signals were detected, none were confirmed as extraterrestrial, prompting a shift to more efficient observation methods.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Astrobiology
- Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
Background:
- The Lick Observatory has conducted an Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program for 4.5 years.
- Observations have focused on 4,605 stars of spectral types F-M within 200 light-years of Earth, including stars with known planetary systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect potential technosignatures from extraterrestrial civilizations.
- To evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the ongoing SETI observational program.
Main Methods:
- Optical SETI observations of target stars.
- Analysis of candidate signals, including "triple coincidences."
- Follow-up observations to confirm or refute candidate signals.
Main Results:
- 14 candidate signals were detected, with 13 attributed to transient local interference.
- The single remaining candidate signal could not be confirmed by additional observations.
- The program identified the need for more economical operational strategies.
Conclusions:
- No confirmed extraterrestrial signals have been detected to date.
- Future operations will transition to a more efficient unattended drift scan mode.
- Operational and equipment modifications are expected to more than double observational efficiency.
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