Arnold wrote:

Rich wrote:
I remember back in the 1990s they were using computers with spare
processing power to analyze signals to look for extraterrestrial life.
I read the Drake Equation and wonder, how do you have a scientific
theory when EVERY term in an equation is an unknown variable?
I hope NASA, etc, never put any money into this rubbish.

1. Do yourself a favour and google the "WOW! signal". It was a
'perfect' alien signal but it didn't repeat. Imagine it was real!

2. The SETI Institute is privately funded and as far as I know, US tax
dollars are not used for SETI searches.

3. There were and will be a lot of spin-off discoveries made from doing
searches for alien signals.
Seti@home data led to some unplanned discoveries related to the
distribution of hydrogen in the galaxy.

4. Do not limit your thinking to radio signals only. Projects exist
that look for optical signals like lasers.
One day we might even detect artificial alien structures using
sensitive infra-red detectors.

The point is - although the galaxy is not blaring with alien beacons or
radio stations, we should still try and detect electromagnetic emissions
of artificial origin. If we don't, we will never know the truth.

Most good discoveries come by accident. Maybe not searching is the key
to discovery?
We are our own first instance of extra terrestrial life?






As suggested in another post, have a look at the Planetary Society's
website for more info (see link below).

I keep an open mind. Never say never.

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