The Alien Communication Handbook: So We Received a Signal―Now What? (Astronomers' Universe) - Softcover

McConnell, Brian S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3030748448 ISBN 13: 9783030748449

Publisher: Springer, 2021

Synopsis

Scientists have been searching for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations since Frank Drake’s first radio survey in 1960. But what would actually happen if SETI’s search succeeds? Is there any way we could even make sense of the signal we receive?

Written by an expert in communication systems and translation technology, this book explores the science of interstellar communication. It explains how this process may unfold, how an ET communication link would work, the types of information it could convey and how professionals, amateurs and ordinary people like you would participate in the effort to understand what another civilization has to say.

Along the way, the book introduces readers to many aspects of modern-day communication systems and computing. Featured as well are dozens of illustrations, photos and real-world examples, rounding out this compelling foray into the mechanics of interstellar communication.

“Scientists, policy makers,and all interested in the likely future discovery of alien life will want to read this book.”

-          Steven J. Dick, Former NASA Chief Historian

About this title

About the Author

Brian S. McConnell is an expert in communication systems and translation technology, having worked for over ten years in developing translation and localization platforms for startups and growth-stage companies. McConnell is the author of Beyond Contact–A Guide To SETI and Communicating with Alien Civilizations (2001), O'Reilly & Associates, as well as numerous papers about interstellar communication and anti-cryptographic message design. In 2016 he co-authored the SpringerBrief A Design For A Water Based Spacecraft Known as the Spacecoach which detailed a spacecraft architecture based on electric propulsion using water and crew consumables as working mass, a design pattern which could radically decrease the mass budgets and costs of crewed interplanetary missions.

From the Back Cover

Scientists have been searching for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations since Frank Drake’s first radio survey in 1960. But what would actually happen if SETI’s search succeeds? Is there any way we could even make sense of the signal we receive?

Written by an expert in communication systems and translation technology, this book explores the science of interstellar communication. It explains how this process may unfold, how an ET communication link would work, the types of information it could convey and how professionals, amateurs and ordinary people like you would participate in the effort to understand what another civilization has to say.

Along the way, the book introduces readers to many aspects of modern-day communication systems and computing. Featured as well are dozens of illustrations, photos and real-world examples, rounding out this compelling foray into the mechanics of interstellar communication.

“Scientists, policy makers, and all interested in the likely future discovery of alien life will want to read this book.”

-          Steven J. Dick, Former NASA Chief Historian

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3030748448
• ISBN 13: 9783030748449
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 309