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SERENDIP contains within itself sophisticated software for
analyzing the frequencies it listens to. It automatically rejects signals
that are constantly there, even though the telescope is moving across the
sky. These signals are usually from earth-bound transmitters or from equipment
at the observatory. If the signal was from "out there," you would
expect it to last for only a short time as the telescope "beam"
sweeps across it. The software also rejects signals that are constant in
power but change in frequency. These are usually from satellites orbiting
the earth. The shift in frequency is due to the Doppler effect caused by
the satellite's motion. Signals that cover a broad range of frequencies
are also rejected, as these are also most likely terrestrial in nature.
The analysis done by the SERENDIP instrument eliminates only the obvious
noise sources. What remains are sent back over the Internet to the Space
Sciences Lab at UC Berkeley for further detailed analysis. Here other algorithms
are applied to the data to reject further noise. The possible candidates
that remain after all the processing is done are added to a database. These
candidates will be examined at a later date with a targeted search.
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LIVE SERENDIP DATA
This graphic is a representation of the raw data from the SERENDIP IV
instrument as it is coming in to the Arecibo Telescope this moment.
Lower frequencies are to the left, higher frequencies are to
the right. The height of the spikes gives the strength of the signal. Recent
readings are in front, past readings move to the rear. Please note that
these are the raw signals before processing. Once the signals are processed,
all of the local sources of interference are thrown out.
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What happens if the search is successful? What if
extraterrestrial signals are found? The SETI community has agreed on a "
Declaration of Principles
"
as to the procedure for notifying each other and the rest of the world should
a discovery be made. First, the discoverer must make all possible attempts
to verify that the signal is indeed extraterrestrial. Then the discoverer
can notify others in the field to obtain an independent verification of
the discovery. If this test is passed, the discoverer can then broadly disseminate
the information to the scientific community, the Secretary General of the
United Nations, and the public. Any data collected will be made available
to the scientific community for further analysis. As you can see, in spite
of all the "conspiracy theories" that abound in the science fringe
communities, there will be no attempt to hide any data or keep it from the
public eye.
With a little luck, we may know within our lifetime if
we are alone in our galaxy. I'm hopeful that we will find many friends out
there.
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"SERENDIP: The Search for Life"
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