What kind of detector is being used?
A fast optical detection system designed by Paul Horowitz is being used with our 36″ reflecting telescope. The detection system uses a beam splitter and two fast photodetectors to check for coincident events (signals in both detectors simultaneously). This eliminates several false detections resulting from events originating in the detection system itself. • Is it likely that intelligent life exists on other planets in the galaxy? One method of determining the number of potentially communicating planets in the galaxy is to use the Drake equation Using this simple calculation, the results of which varies greatly depending on what numbers you use (such as the number of stars with planets, and the lifetime of a communicating civilization), the number of actively communicating civilizations in the galaxy can vary from one to tens of thousands. In a galaxy approximately 300 thousand light-years in diameter in which we are nearly centered, the chances are high that if life exists throughout
