Eavesdropping: The Radio Signature of the Earth
Abstract
In addition to searches for purposeful signals, those attempting interstellar communication should also consider the possibility of eavesdropping on radio emissions inadvertently "leaking" from other technical civilizations. To understand better the information which might be derivable from radio leakage, the case of planet earth is considered. The most detectable and useful escaping signals arise in a few BMEWS-type radar systems and in normal television broadcasting. A model including over 2000 television transmitters is used to demonstrate the wealth of astronomical and cultural information available from a distant observer's careful monitoring of frequency and intensity variations in individual video carriers (program material is not taken to be detectable).
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- January 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.199.4327.377
- Bibcode:
- 1978Sci...199..377S
- Keywords:
-
- Extraterrestrial Life;
- Life Detectors;
- Radio Emission;
- Signal Detection;
- Terrestrial Radiation;
- Ballistic Missile Early Warning System;
- Radio Transmission;
- Spectral Signatures;
- Television Transmission;
- Space Sciences (General)