Relative Likelihood of Success in the Searches for Primitive versus Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life
We estimate the relative likelihood of success in the searches for primitive versus intelligent life on other planets.
Taking into account the larger search volume for detectable artificial electromagnetic signals, we conclude that both searches should be performed concurrently, albeit with significantly more funding dedicated to primitive life. Our analysis suggests that the search for technosignatures may potentially merit a minimum funding level of $\$1$ million per year.
Manasvi Lingam, Abraham Loeb
(Submitted on 24 Jul 2018)
Comments: 19 pages; 0 figures
Subjects: Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph); Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP)
Cite as: arXiv:1807.08879 [physics.pop-ph] (or arXiv:1807.08879v1 [physics.pop-ph] for this version)
Submission history
From: Manasvi Lingam
[v1] Tue, 24 Jul 2018 01:57:12 GMT (27kb)
https://arxiv.org/abs/1807.08879
Astrobiology
SETI
