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Jodrell Bank Plans 200 Klick SETI Search
Manchester - March 23, 1999 - Project Phoenix, a collaborative research programme between the SETI Institute, the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico, and the University of Manchester's Lovell radio telescope at Jodrell Bank is using the two telescopes to make the most sensitive and comprehensive search of Sun-like stars within 200 light years of Sol for radio communication signals.Ian Morison, who is co-ordinating the Jodrell Bank observations, explained that, "Astronomers expect that other civilisations are most likely to be found on planets in orbit around stars similar to our Sun. Such stars live long enough and provide enough heat to allow life a chance to evolve. Jill Tarter, Director of the SETI Institute, points out that "by using the Arecibo and Lovell Telescopes together in the search we have the most sensitive system currently available to search for extra-terrestrial signals." The privately-funded SETI Institute, in California, has continued the development of a NASA multi-million channel receiver which is capable of efficiently searching a wide band of frequencies where extra-terrestrial signals might be found. This receiver is located at the Arecibo telescope and is used to make the initial detection of signals having the appropriate characteristics. The Lovell telescope is then immediately used to eliminate earth-based interference or confirm any suspected extra-terrestrial signal. Previous searches for Life in the universe have always been plagued with the problem of discriminating between a "true" extra-terrestrial signal and those originating on Earth or from artificial satellites. As Ian Morison explains: "local signals are eliminated by making simultaneous observations with the two radio telescopes. Due to their transatlantic separation, a signal has to come from a very great distance, from at least the outer part of our Solar System, for the computer-based detection systems to be triggered at both telescopes. Fortunately, we can make a regular check on the system by receiving the signal from the 26 year old Pioneer 10 spacecraft, now far beyond the orbit of Pluto." The search is being undertaken during two three-week observing sessions each year and will continue for several years. As Professor Andrew Lyne, Director of Jodrell Bank, said "If an extra-terrestrial signal were detected, it would be one of the most dramatic discoveries ever made. We are glad that we can make a contribution to this exciting scientific quest." Further Information on the background to the search, and supporting images, can be found on the Jodrell Bank Web Site:
SETI at Spacer.Com
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