How does Project Phoenix search for extraterrestrial intelligence?
Project Phoenix uses the world’s largest telescopes (40 to 300 meters in diameter) to scrutinize the vicinities of nearby, sun-like stars. Stars are examined one by one over a portion of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum for artificially produced signals. The Targeted Search System looks for signals in the range 1,000 MHz to 3,000 MHz, with a frequency resolution of 1 Hz. The ability to detect slowly-drifting signals and the application of near real-time data processing make Project Phoenix the most comprehensive and sensitive SETI search in the world today. The observational phase of Project Phoenix is expected to run until the year 2001. The actual time needed will depend on the availability of radio telescopes, the level of terrestrial radio frequency interference, the rate at which improvements can be made to receiving systems, and, of course, whether or not an extraterrestrial signal is detected.
Project Phoenix uses the world’s largest telescopes (40 to 300 meters in diameter) to scrutinize the vicinities of nearby, sun-like stars. Stars are examined one by one over a portion of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum for artificially produced signals. The Targeted Search System looks for signals in the range 1,000 MHz to 3,000 MHz, with a frequency resolution of 1 Hz. The ability to detect slowly-drifting signals and the application of near real-time data processing make Project Phoenix the most comprehensive and sensitive SETI search in the world today. The observational phase of Project Phoenix is expected to run until the year 2001. The actual time needed will depend on the availability of radio telescopes, the level of terrestrial radio frequency interference, the rate at which improvements can be made to receiving systems, and, of course, whether or not an extraterrestrial signal is detected.
