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Calculating the probability of detecting radio signals from alien civilizations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2006

Marko Horvat
Affiliation:
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb Unska 3, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia e-mail: marko@marko-horvat.name

Abstract

Although it might not be self-evident, it is in fact entirely possible to calculate the probability of detecting alien radio signals by understanding what types of extraterrestrial radio emissions can be expected and what properties these emissions can have. Using the Drake equation as the obvious starting point, and logically identifying and enumerating constraints of interstellar radio communications, may yield the possibility of detecting a genuine alien radio signal.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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