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Broadcasting but not receiving: density dependence considerations for SETI signals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2009

Reginald D. Smith
Reginald D. Smith
Affiliation:
Bouchet-Franklin Institute, P.O. Box 10051, Rochester, NY14610, USA e-mail:rsmith@bouchet-franklin.org
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Abstract

This paper develops a detailed quantitative model which uses the Drake equation and an assumption of an average maximum radio broadcasting distance by an communicative civilization. Using this basis, it estimates the minimum civilization density for contact between two civilizations to be probable in a given volume of space under certain conditions, the amount of time it would take for a first contact, and the question of whether reciprocal contact is possible.

Keywords

Fermi's Paradoxextraterrestrial civilizationSETIradio signals
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 101 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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References

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