Isotropically Detectable Interstellar Beacons

R. H. Gray. (1990), JBIS, 43, pp.531-536

Refcode: 1990.43.531

Abstract:

Radio searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) confront an unbounded problem [1]. The major search dimensions are direction (perhaps-106 stars), frequency (possibly many GHz at -1 Hz resolution), time (if signals are not “on” continuously), and signal flux (which might be arbitrarily weak). It is not possible to cover all combinations of values. The problem would be more tractable if all dimensions of the search space were bounded, with only a small number of values – ideally just one – for each dimension.