Hector Socas-Navarro
March 16, 2023
Zoom recording
Abstract:
As a byproduct of the exoplanet revolution, we can now search for technosignatures that would potentially leave an imprint on a planet’s transit light-curve data. We can now examine the space environment around a planet in search for artificial megastructures or large collections of artifacts, such as satellite belts. This talk summarizes some possible technosignatures that might be within the reach of current or upcoming instrumentation, with emphasis on photometric technosignatures and how they can be categorized in the axes of merit or the ichnoscale diagram may be used to provide a quantitative framework. Specifically, we will focus on geosynchronous artifacts, such as Clarke exobelts, which have desirable characteristics including compatibility with Occam’s razor, being a natural extension of current human technology, and a lifespan of at least millions of years.