Outer Space Stuff

Airing tonight on The Science Channel, Sci Fi Science's host, Dr. Michio Kaku explores the possibility of communication with extraterrestrials.

For those unfamiliar with the program, Sci Fi Science is a half hour TV show that looks at the science behind science fiction.

Is SETI doing it wrong? According to the Benford clan, probably. That is, if the aliens are cheapskates...

Based on the assumption that any technologically advanced civilizations out there who might be broadcasting would do so in the most efficient, effective and cheapest way possible, the Benfords (Gregory, James and Dominic) have posited that instead of sending out continuous narrow-band signals, aliens would instead send pulsed broadband transmissions (1-10 gigahertz) directed at specific locations in space.

If this is true (and it's certainly a reasonable idea), it would mean that SETI is on the wrong path with its current focus being on narrow-band transmissions.

The full story (along with related links) can be seen here.