Solar System Technosignatures

A description of SETI in the Solar System. Begins with a survey of historical claims of technological life on Mars from Lowell to the notorious “Face on Mars.'' Discuses Bracewell's original idea and the benefits of physical transportation of information vs. transmission via photons, as well as other rationales for exploration of the Galaxy via probes. Includes a discussion of the solar gravitational lens and how it might be used for Galactic communication. Concludes with a discussion of how technology orbiting the sun could be identified and distinguished from natural objects via reflected light, and how surface artifacts might be detected. Includes exercises for students.