Mathematical Seti: Statistics, Signal Processing, Space Missions

ISBN-13: 9783642274367 / Angielski / Twarda / 2012 / 724 str.

Claudio Maccone

Opis

This book introduces the Statistical Drake Equation where, from a simple product of seven positive numbers, the Drake Equation is turned into the product of seven positive random variables. The mathematical consequences of this transformation are demonstrated and it is proven that the new random variable N for the number of communicating civilizations in the Galaxy must follow the lognormal probability distribution when the number of factors in the Drake equation is allowed to increase at will.Mathematical SETI also studies the proposed FOCAL (Fast Outgoing Cyclopean Astronomical Lens) space mission to the nearest Sun Focal Sphere at 550 AU and describes its consequences for future interstellar precursor missions and truly interstellar missions. In addition the author shows how SETI signal processing may be dramatically improved by use of the Karhunen-Loeve Transform (KLT) rather than Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Finally, he describes the efforts made to persuade the United Nations to make the central part of the Moon Far Side a UN-protected zone, in order to preserve the unique radio-noise-free environment for future scientific use.

Spis treści

Part 1 – MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS FOR SETI.- Introduction to SETI.- The Drake Equation summarizing five billions years of Evolution in this Galaxy.- The Statistical Drake Equation (SDE).- The Statistical Equation of the Habitables (SHE).- Is there a Galactic Habitable Zone?.- Part 2 – ACTUAL SETI SEARCHES AND STRATEGIES.- Summary of Fifty Years of SETI Searches (1960-2010).-  Searching for Beacons in 2010: the Benford’s approach.- The Hipparcos Star Catalogue of the Nearest 118,218 Stars in the Galaxy.- The Turnbull-Tarter 'HabCat' Catalogue of the Nearest 17,129 Habitable Stars.- Future Space Missions yielding more Star Catalogues: SIM, GAIA, TPF.- Current SETI Searches from the ground: ATA and the Berkeley SETI Program.- Future SETI Searches from the ground: ATA, LOFAR, ALMA, SKA.- Part 3 – IMPROVING THE SETI SIGNAL PROCESSING BY THE KLT.- A Simple Introduction to the KLT.- KLT from sources in uniform and decelerated motion.- KLT from sources in hyperbolic motion.- KLT from sources in arbitrary motion.- Part 4 – MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF THE PAST FOR EXTRAPOLATION INTO THE FUTURE.- SETI, Exoplanet Searches and Interstellar Flight: When are They Going to Merge?.- Human Expected Lifetime Increase from Upper Paleolithic up to Now and Beyond.- The 'Coral' Model for the Expansion of a Civilization in this Galaxy.- Prospects for Human Interstellar Flight as of 2010.-Trying to Infer Humanity’s Future Expansion in the Galaxy on the HabCat basis.

Blurb

This book introduces the Statistical Drake Equation where, from a simple product of seven positive numbers, the Drake Equation is turned into the product of seven positive random variables. The mathematical consequences of this transformation are demonstrated and it is proven that the new random variable N for the number of communicating civilizations in the Galaxy must follow the lognormal probability distribution when the number of factors in the Drake equation is allowed to increase at will.

Mathematical SETI also studies the proposed FOCAL (Fast Outgoing Cyclopean Astronomical Lens) space mission to the nearest Sun Focal Sphere at 550 AU and describes its consequences for future interstellar precursor missions and truly interstellar missions. In addition the author shows how SETI signal processing may be dramatically improved by use of the Karhunen-Loève Transform (KLT) rather than Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Finally, he describes the efforts made to persuade the United Nations to make the central part of the Moon Far Side a UN-protected zone, in order to preserve the unique radio-noise-free environment for future scientific use.