Active SETI in Solar system neighborhood

• Published in: Astrophysics and space science Vol. 363; no. 8; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Author: Lukic, D. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-08-2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Astronomy; Astrophysics; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Civilization; Cosmology; Extraterrestrial intelligence; Extraterrestrial life; Interstellar travel; Observations and Techniques; Original Article; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planet detection; Planets; Project SETI; Radio signals; Searching; Solar system; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Universe; Extraterrestrial civilization; SETI; METI
• ISSN: 0004-640X; 1572-946X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10509-018-3384-0

In the search for habitable planets, the ultimate aspiration is finding an extraterrestrial technical civilization. We already lost a half of century for an active search for extraterrestrial civilizations. Should we lose another half? If all civilizations in the Universe are only recipients and not message-sending civilizations, then no SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) searches make any sense. Detecting only leaked radio signals is a hard job with present resources. Fear from the extraterrestrials is unfounded, having in mind physical difficulties and requirements of the interstellar travel. If possible extraterrestrial civilizations are more advanced than ours then they can pick up life signs from Earth easier than we can from their planets at present. Here we propose a scientifically based METI (Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program.