Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

EPS SCI C179 - Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

<p>Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Recommended: course 71 or Computer Science 31 or Program in Computing 10A, Mathematics 31B, Physics 1C or 5C. Project-based study with focus on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), with material from astronomy, computer science, mathematics, signal processing, and statistics. Design of observational program, acquisition of telescopic data, development of algorithms to analyze data, and presentation of results. Introduction to the abundance and characteristics of extrasolar planetary systems; radio astronomy, including wave propagation and Doppler shift; signal processing, including sampling theory and Fourier transforms; random processes, including Gaussian and binomial statistics; and algorithm development. Concurrently scheduled with course C179. S/U or letter grading.</p>

Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences

College of Letters and Science

EPS SCI C279 - Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Perform spectral analysis of time-series data with the Fast Fourier Transform

Understand celestial coordinates and compute rise-transit-set times for sources

Understand abundance of planets and conditions for planetary habitability

Design and implement an observational program for a large radio telescope

Implement algorithms in Python to solve scientific problems

Understand database concepts and access large database with Python

Understand radio astronomy fundamentals including sensitivity and Doppler shift

Use Python-based graphical tools to present results of data analysis

Understand noise statistics and relevant probability distributions

Complete a research project from conception to oral presentation of results

General Catalog

Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

EPS SCI C279

4 units