Multibeam Blind Search of Targeted SETI Observations toward 33 Exoplanet Systems with FAST

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new blind search mode for SETI using FAST, enabling detection of narrowband signals across multiple polarizations, and demonstrates its advantages through observations of 33 exoplanet systems.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel multibeam coincidence matching blind search mode for SETI, enhancing detection capabilities over traditional targeted searches.

Findings

Detected two special signals, one only via blind search mode.

Blind search mode shows significant advantages in signal detection.

No evidence found to suggest signals are extraterrestrial in origin.

Abstract

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is to search for technosignatures associated with extraterrestrial life, such as engineered radio signals. In this paper, we apply the multibeam coincidence matching (MBCM) strategy, and propose a new search mode based on the MBCM which we call MBCM blind search mode. In our recent targeted SETI research, 33 exoplanet systems are observed by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). With this blind search mode, we search for narrowband drifting signals across $1.05-1.45$ GHz in two orthogonal linear polarization directions separately. There are two special signals, one of which can only be detected by the blind search mode while the other can be found by both blind and targeted search modes. This result reveals huge advantages of the new blind search mode. However, we eliminate the possibility of the special signals being ETI signals based on much evidence, such as the polarization, drift, frequency and beam coverage characteristics. Our observations achieve an unprecedented sensitivity and our work provides a deeper understanding to the polarization analysis of extraterrestrial signals.