Traditionally, the hunt for intelligent life in the universe has focused on radio signals from far off worlds. But scientists are turning to more varied types of signals, acknowledging that we have very little idea how a truly alien life-form might choose to communicate, either with themselves or us.
With that in mind, Breakthrough Listen, a program searching for signs of life in the universe, is partnering with the VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) observatory in Arizona to look for pulses of light that might be a sign of alien intelligence. Usually, VERITAS searches the sky for gamma-ray sources, but scientists are using its multiple telescopes and sharp sight to look for even more elusive targets.
“When it comes to intelligent life beyond Earth, we don’t know where it exists or how it communicates,” Breakthrough founder Yuri Milner said in a press release. “So, our philosophy is ...
