New statistical model to help search for alien life
Are we alone in the universe or does intelligent life exist out there? A researcher at Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) has come up with a novel approach to help solve this question – a statistical model to narrow down the detection of possible alien signals.
This content was published on
3 minutes
EPFL/sb
EPFL scientist Claudio Grimaldi, working in association with the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a statistical model that employs Bayes’ theorem to calculate the probability of detecting a signal within a given radius around the Earth.
He concludes that if no signal is detected within a radius of 1,000 light years, there is still at least a 10% chance that the Earth could be within range of hundreds of potential signals from other parts of the galaxy. The problem is that our radio telescopes are not powerful enough to detect them.
Grimaldi estimates that the probability of detecting an alien signal becomes very slim at 40,000 light years from Earth. At that distance, “we can reasonably conclude that no other civilization at the same level of technological development as ours is detectable in the galaxy,” EPFL said in a statementExternal link.
However, up to now scientists have only been able to search for signals at a distance of 40 light years.
Researchers have been looking for signs of alien life for almost 60 years. Several research projects concerning the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) have been launched since the late 1950s, mainly in the United States. These include monitoring electromagnetic radiation for signs of transmission using the latest high-performance radio telescopes.
Despite considerable advances in radio astronomy and the increase in computing power, none of those projects have led to anything concrete. Several signals have been recorded, such as the “Wow! signalExternal link” in 1977, but scientists could not pinpoint their origin. And none of them have been repeated or seem credible.
Scientists have not given up, though. SETI has seen renewed interest following the discovery of nearly 4,000 planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets. Researchers have also designed sophisticated new instruments, like the Square Kilometre Array, a giant radio telescope being built in South Africa and Australia with a total collecting area of one square kilometre, which could pave the way to promising breakthroughs.
Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner recently announced an ambitious program called Breakthrough ListenExternal link, which aims to cover 10 times more sky than previous searches and scan a much wider band of frequencies. Milner intends to fund his initiative with $100 million over 10 years.
More
More
Billions of worlds to discover
This content was published on
Swiss scientists Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz were the first to discover a planet outside our solar system back in 1995. Since then, the catalogue of planets orbiting stars other than the sun (exoplanets) has grown week by week. Although the first photos are now emerging, worlds trillions of kilometres away are still being discovered…
Swiss university graduates are popular hires worldwide
This content was published on
Graduates of Swiss universities are popular with international employers, according to the Global Employability University Rankings.
French cross-border workers in Switzerland fear ‘discriminatory’ unemployment reform
This content was published on
In the French region around Geneva, cross-border workers are protesting proposals to cut unemployment benefits for those working in Switzerland.
Swan infected with bird flu in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland has reported its first bird flu case of the season. A swan found dead in central Switzerland tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
Swiss researchers identify gene variants linked to cancer progression
This content was published on
ETH Zurich researchers explored genetic mutations’ effects on cell function and their role in cancer development and treatment using CRISPR/Cas techniques.
Explosion at Swiss company Givaudan’s US plant leaves two dead
This content was published on
Swiss flavour and fragrance maker Givaudan reported that an explosion at its Kentucky plant resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
Swisscom’s Vodafone Italia takeover cleared by Italian telecoms authority
This content was published on
Swisscom is one step closer to its planned acquisition of Vodafone Italia, as the Italian communications regulator has approved the €8 billion deal.
Swiss parliamentary committee proposes foreign aid cuts and military funding boost
This content was published on
A committee of the Swiss House of Representatives has proposed increasing funds for the military and agriculture while reducing foreign aid and asylum.
Swiss Rolex Submariner watches reach nearly $50 billion in total market value
This content was published on
The total market value of all Rolex Submariner watches ever made is nearly $50 billion, based on newly released production data.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Thousands of planets – but is there life out there?
This content was published on
On October 6, 1995, Michel Mayor and Didier Quéloz announced the discovery of the first planet orbiting a star other than our sun.
This content was published on
Scientists at the University of Geneva looking for planets outside our solar system have found one with a unique feature: a huge tail made of gas.
This content was published on
What might alien life forms look like and how might we find them? An exhibition in Zurich sheds light years on the issue.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.