Prospects of SETI by small size optical telescopes

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of small optical telescopes (under 1 meter) for SETI, demonstrating their ability to detect advanced extraterrestrial techno-signatures like megastructures and probes.

Contribution

It presents a feasibility study showing small telescopes can detect specific extraterrestrial signatures, expanding the scope of SETI observation methods.

Findings

Detection of hot megastructures up to 4000 K around stars and pulsars.

Small telescopes can identify Type-2.x and Type-3.x civilizations' techno-signatures.

Feasibility of using small telescopes for SETI searches.

Abstract

In the present manuscript we consider the possibility of SETI by the small size (with diameters less than 1 m) optical telescopes. Calculations are performed for typical parameters of the mentioned type of telescopes. In particular, we show that the techno-signatures of Type-2.x and Type-3.x civilizations might be detected. It is demonstrated that it is possible to detect as hot megastructures (up to 4000 K) built around main sequence stars and pulsars as well as von Neumann extraterrestrial probes.