Scouting the spectrum for interstellar travellers
Juan Carlos Garcia-Escartin, Pedro Chamorro-Posada
TL;DR
This paper explores how to detect advanced interstellar civilizations by identifying signatures of relativistic travel and proposes a solar sail beacon for interstellar communication.
Contribution
It introduces a novel method for detecting relativistic spacecraft signatures and proposes a simple interstellar beacon design using solar sails.
Findings
Relativistic objects produce distinctive light reflection signatures.
A feasible solar sail-based interstellar beacon design is proposed.
The detection method could identify advanced civilizations' spacecraft.
Abstract
Advanced civilizations capable of interstellar travel, if they exist, are likely to have advanced propulsion methods. Spaceships moving at high speeds would leave a particular signature which could be detected from Earth. We propose a search based on the properties of light reflecting from objects travelling at relativistic speeds. Based on the same principles, we also propose a simple interstellar beacon with a solar sail.
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