Optical SETI: The All-Sky Survey
At a glance:
A high-intensity pulsed laser, teamed with a moderate sized
telescope, forms an efficient interstellar beacon. Using only
"Earth 1998" technology, we could build such a laser transmitter.
To a distant observer in the direction of its slender beam, it
would appear (during its brief pulse) a thousand times brighter
than our sun.
Beginning 19Oct98 we have been searching for such intense laser pulses,
transmitted deliberately in our direction by another civilization
in order to initiate communication across interstellar distances. This began
with the Targeted OSETI search.
With the advent of efficient, pixelated photomultiplier tubes, it has become
feasible to expand this targeted search into a panoramic All-Sky survey. With this goal in mind, the construction of a new OSETI observatory to house a 72" optical telescope began 28Dec00.
Watch it Grow!
- Beginnings
- The "Dome" Goes Up!
- Walls, Roof, Action!
- First Phase Complete
- The Lawn, The Roof, ...
- The Telescope (in Arkansas)
- The Telescope Arrives!!
- Working on the 'Scope
- Still Working on the 'Scope
- Progress on the 'Scope
- Big Brother Moves In
- Remote Control
We're ONLINE!!
- Let the Search Begin!
- Birth, and First Observations
- 50% Coverage of Northern Sky
- Radiotelescope RIP; Search Upgrade!
- Rain or Shine -- NOT!
- Washing the Mirror! New Computer!!
Project Information
- project based at Harvard University and Oak Ridge Observatory
- project team: Harvard Physics -- Paul Horowitz, Chip Coldwell,
Andrew Howard, Jason Gallicchio, and Chris Laumann;
Cool guys -- Alan Sliski, David Sliski;
Oak Ridge/SAO -- Dave
Latham, Robert Stefanik, Joe Zajac, and Joe Caruso
- project funding: The Planetary Society and
the Bosack-Kruger Charitable Foundation
Details
Papers, Somewhat Technical
Visit the Horowitz Group Home Page!
(this page last modified 01 Nov 2007)