The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence - The Thomas Tannahill Lecture

Name: The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence - The Thomas Tannahill Lecture
Start: 2025-01-23T19:30:00+00:00
Location: University of Strathclyde Faculty of Engineering

Schedule

Thu, 23 Jan, 2025 at 07:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

University of Strathclyde Faculty of Engineering | Glasgow, SC

Time:
7.30 PM lecture starts
Location:
Rm 6.41 of the James Weir Building (Old Royal College) of Strathclyde University. (Entrance off Montrose Street).
With Prof Michael Garrett, Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester.
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is entering an exciting new phase, driven by cutting-edge instrumentation and innovative methodologies that are redefining how we explore the cosmos for signs of intelligent life. At the University of Manchester, we are building a vibrant research group focused on cutting-edge topics that push the boundaries of traditional SETI paradigms. Our work encompasses the search for technosignatures in the mm and sub-mm wavelengths using ALMA data, investigations of potential Dyson Sphere candidates both within our galaxy and beyond, identification of post-biological or machine-based signatures, and the simulation of Earth leakage radiation across the e-m spectrum. In this talk, I will highlight these exciting new research directions, emphasising the critical role of radio interferometers in enhancing SETI capabilities, particularly for follow-up studies of promising candidate signals.
Michael Garrett is the Sir Bernard Lovell Chair of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, and Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. He was previously General & Scientific Director of ASTRON (2007-2016), and responsible for the final design, and operational phases of the International LOFAR Telescope. As Director of the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (2003-2007), he developed the technique of wide-field Very Long Baseline Interferometry and piloted real-time VLBI (e-VLBI) across the European VLBI Network and beyond. Garrett finalised the original design concept for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.
Currently, Garrett’s main scientific focus is in searching for anomalies in large astronomical data sets, looking for the signature of energy-intensive extraterrestrial civilisations. He is chair of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) SETI Committee and serves on advisory boards of both the SETI Institute and Breakthrough Listen. In 2024, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

This is completely free!
In case you didn't see, the location is:
Rm 6.41 of the James Weir Building (Old Royal College) of Strathclyde University. (Entrance off Montrose Street).
We hope to see you there!