Contact With Alien Civilizations - Michael A.G.

Page 59 of 472

Page 59 of 472
Contact With Alien Civilizations - Michael A.G.

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47 Dyson proposed in 1960 that we search for emissions in the far infrared rom artificial biospheres that advanced civilizations may have built around heir parent stars. Searches performed before 2005 have found nothing like “Dyson spheres”out to 80 light-years. A 25-year search of the sky for astro- nomical objects that might be artificial in origin found a number of very peculiar objects, but none appeared likely to be the product of alien mas- erminds. Within about 10,000 to 20,000 light-years around the solar system, no highly advanced extraterrestrial civilizations intend to reveal hemselves through such objects (emphasis added). The James Webb Space Telescope, which may be deployed in space some ime after 2010, will be designed to work best in the infrared part of the spectrum. This huge instrument, originally planned with a segmented mirror 6.5 meters (about 20 feet) across, is designed for the study of very old and distant galaxies, not to search for astroengineering projects. Again, serendipity might apply. Farside The far side of the Moon is a symbol of remoteness and inaccessibility. The Apollo astronauts who looked down on Farside as they orbited the Moon were cut off from Earth, in a cone of radio silence. They were, for those minutes, the loneliest men alive. It is that very insulation from the Earth that makes Farside of unique value to us. There we could locate the most powerful tools of our astronomy, undisturbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrogen geoco- rona, light, or radio signals. In the Moon’s weaker gravity, radio anten- nas could grow to giant size. Astronomers or their robotic assistants could work in a carefully protected stillness, facing outward into the celestial deep. Great radio ears might strain to hear the whispers of the stars, and perhaps the distinctive patterns of intelligent communication. Farside Station could be Humankind’s unblinking eye on the cosmos, our most advanced listening post for energy and intelligence. Building it would extend human civilization around the Moon, enclosing a new world in our grasp. French astronomer Jean Heidmann led an effort within the Interna- tional Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronomical Union to reserve Farside for astronomy, including SETI. After Heidmann’s passing, Italian physicist Claudio Maccone picked up the torch; the Academy’s study of the concept might provide a basis for formal international action to protect Farside from lunar satellite or lunar base communications. Farside’s use would not be limited to radio astronomy. One scientist proposed setting up a battery of large infrared telescopes there to look Looking for the Astroengineers