Stuff You Should Know Selects: How SETI Works
Jan 22, 2022
Dive into the fascinating world of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, where humor meets the serious quest for alien life. Discover the origins of SETI and the iconic Drake Equation while pondering the Fermi Paradox. Hear about innovative radio telescope projects and how citizen scientists play a role. Follow the emotional storytelling in the latest podcasts, and explore protocols for confirming alien signals. With creativity and wit, this exploration takes you on a cosmic journey full of wonder and curiosity.
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The "Wow!" Signal
- In 1977, Jerry Ehman detected the "Wow!" signal, a strong radio signal possibly from extraterrestrial intelligence.
- Despite numerous attempts, the signal has never been detected again.
SETI's Origin
- SETI's origins trace back to a 1959 paper by Philip Morrison and Giuseppe Cocconi.
- They argued that not searching guarantees no discovery, while searching offers a possibility.
The Drake Equation
- Frank Drake's equation estimates the number of detectable civilizations in our galaxy.
- It considers factors like star formation, planets, and the lifespan of civilizations.