Search for Transient, Monochromatic Light from the Galactic Plane

TL;DR

This study conducted a wide-area search for short, monochromatic optical and near-IR pulses from the Galactic Plane to detect extraterrestrial signals, but found no evidence of such pulses, reinforcing the rarity of detectable extraterrestrial beacons.

Contribution

It is the first large-scale optical transient survey of the Galactic Plane specifically targeting monochromatic pulses, setting new upper limits on extraterrestrial laser signals.

Findings

No laser pulses detected from the Galactic Plane

Limits placed on the prevalence of extraterrestrial optical beacons

Supports the notion of a SETI 'desert' at optical wavelengths

Abstract

The Galactic Plane was searched for transient, monochromatic light at optical and near-IR wavelengths to detect pulses shorter than 1 sec. An objective-prism Schmidt telescope and CMOS camera were used to observe 973 square degrees along the Galactic Plane within a strip 2.1 deg wide. The non-detections of laser pulses from the Galactic Plane add to the non-detections from more than 5000 stars. The absence of extraterrestrial beacons reveals more of a SETI desert at optical and radio wavelengths.