Searches for Robotic Probes in the Solar System Eamonn Ansbro - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Searches for Robotic Probes in the Solar System Eamonn Ansbro Kingsland Observatory RAS NAM: SETI Sessions St Andrews, July 5 2013

SETI, OSETI, SETA SETI, OSETI, SETA  SETA: Search for Extraterrestrial Artefacts SETA: Search for Extraterrestrial Artefacts  Hypothesis states: Hypothesis states:  Technological advanced extraterrestrial Technological advanced extraterrestrial civilisations have deployed interstellar civilisations have deployed interstellar exploratory probes, and there is a non- exploratory probes, and there is a non- zero probability that functioning probes zero probability that functioning probes have reached our Solar System and are have reached our Solar System and are detectable or contactable using existing detectable or contactable using existing terrestrial technologies terrestrial technologies

From what we’ve learnt as experienced on Earth in science, it seems that both an Extraterrestrial Civilizations arise from a long process of apparently incidental interaction of astrophysical, physical and chemical factors ?

Our own galaxy may have around 10, 000 civilizations

Some civilizations will be unified with a universal vision, flourishing, exploring other stars Some civilizations may have destroyed themselves

A civilization will explore its local solar system and harness its energy

An intelligent civilization may be at a stage, has developed technology and wants to explore for others.

If they exist, why don ’ ’ t we t we If they exist, why don see them? see them? Fermi Paradox

Message left by terrestrial interplanetary probes in the solar system Pioneer Voyager If there are ET probes in the Solar System its possible we would be able to find them

ET Civilization 2000 years old Option: “ timid home bodies ” Option: “ timid home bodies ” Technical civilization that stays at home, but they communicate. Explores the solar Technical civilization that stays at home, but they communicate. Explores the solar system with robotic probes system with robotic probes

ET Civilization 3000 years old Option 2: “ Backyard conquerers ” Option 2: “ Backyard conquerers ” Technical civilization travel but only conquer there own solar system and limit Technical civilization travel but only conquer there own solar system and limit themselves to communications with other stellar systems. themselves to communications with other stellar systems.

Età Civiltà Età Civiltà 4.000 Anni 4.000 Anni Option 3: Slow travellers Option 3: Slow travellers Technical civilization travels, conquering there own Technical civilization travels, conquering there own solar system and also several nearby stellar systems solar system and also several nearby stellar systems using mobile Dyson Spheres using mobile Dyson Spheres

ET Civilization 10,000 years old Predater ……. Predater ……. ……. Or Altruistic? . Or Altruistic? …… Well travelled cosmos Option 4: Fast travellers Option 4: Fast travellers Technical civilization become Technical civilization become completely nomadic completely nomadic

ET Civilization 1,000,000 years old Option 5: “ transuniversalists ” Option 5: “ transuniversalists ” Technical civilization jump from Technical civilization jump from Universe to another Universe to another

SETA SETA Search for ET Probes Search for ET Probes If they have reached our Solar System, Where have they come from? From other dimensions From other planets in this Galaxy / or another galaxy How do they do it? Manned or robotic probes Wormholes Zero point energy Quantum tunelling/ Teleportation

SETA SETA The Artefact Hypothesis states that a technologically advanced The Artefact Hypothesis states that a technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilisation has undertaken a long-term extraterrestrial civilisation has undertaken a long-term programme of galactic exploration via transmission of material programme of galactic exploration via transmission of material artefacts. Four general classes of unconcealed observable artefacts. Four general classes of unconcealed observable artefacts are potentially available to test this Hypothesis: artefacts are potentially available to test this Hypothesis: Astro engineering activities, Astro engineering activities,  self-replicating artefacts, self-replicating artefacts,  passive artefacts, passive artefacts,  active probes. active probes.  Of these, only Of these, only active self-repairing probes active self-repairing probes are likely both to exist are likely both to exist and to be observable from within the Solar System. and to be observable from within the Solar System.

Past Surveys SETA < 50 AU Near-Earth Search Freitas and Valdes (L points)‏30( inch Tel. <16 mag.) Papagiannis (Asteroid Belt)‏ using IRAS data

Observational Strategy Observational Strategy From an observational standpoint all extraterrestrial artefacts fall into one of From an observational standpoint all extraterrestrial artefacts fall into one of  three classes: three classes: Class I objects intended to be found, intended to be found, Class I objects  Class II objects intended not to be found, Class II objects intended not to be found,  Class III objects for which detection by us is irrelevant or unimportant. Class III objects for which detection by us is irrelevant or unimportant.  The simplest assumption is that extraterrestrial technology is sufficient to The simplest assumption is that extraterrestrial technology is sufficient to  guarantee the intended result. guarantee the intended result.  Class I objects cannot be present in the Solar System because we have not cannot be present in the Solar System because we have not Class I objects  observed their intentional manifestations. observed their intentional manifestations. Class II objects may be present but it is impossible for us to observe them. may be present but it is impossible for us to observe them. Class II objects  Class III objects may be observable. may be observable. The exploration goal restricts the search The exploration goal restricts the search Class III objects  space for observable Class III artifacts Class III artifacts. These objects must elect to reside in the . These objects must elect to reside in the space for observable best possible location from which to monitor phenomena relevant to their best possible location from which to monitor phenomena relevant to their mission. Earth is the only known site of life and intelligence in the Solar System, mission. Earth is the only known site of life and intelligence in the Solar System, so the simplest assumption is that the probe will recognize the fact and take up so the simplest assumption is that the probe will recognize the fact and take up lunar or cislunar orbit. residence nearby, stationing itself in lunar or cislunar orbit. residence nearby, stationing itself in

Artefact Search Space Artefact Search Space  I I nstrument visual/photometric artifact searches of Earth-Moon lib nstrument visual/photometric artifact searches of Earth-Moon lib to mag. +22 mag. to mag. +22 mag.  Infrared search for "warm" artefacts (T ³ 50oK) in Earth- Infrared search for "warm" artefacts (T ³ 50oK) in Earth- Moon libration and solar polar orbits Moon libration and solar polar orbits  Instrument artefact search of Earth-Moon libration and Instrument artefact search of Earth-Moon libration and solar polar orbits to mag. +24 solar polar orbits to mag. +24  Instrument ecliptic survey to mag. +20/+24, looking for Instrument ecliptic survey to mag. +20/+24, looking for evidence of incoming fusion braking rockets, solar sails, evidence of incoming fusion braking rockets, solar sails, interstellar ramjet plumes, laser push beam backlighting, or interstellar ramjet plumes, laser push beam backlighting, or relic corner reflectors relic corner reflectors