SETI Disrupted By Cell Phones in Airplanes?

Iphtashu Fitz writes "If, as recently mentioned, the FCC does allow wireless access on airplanes, could it effectively mean the end of the search for ET? NewScientist has a new article that explains how radio interference from airborne cellphones could drown out faint radio signals from space. Among other concerns astronomers have is that the second harmonic of many cell phones falls in a frequency band that reveals the molecular signature of newborn and dying stars, which is among the 2% of frequencies in this part of the electromagnetic spectrum reserved for use by radio astronomers. Michael Davis, director of projects at California's SETI Institute, stated that a single cellphone on an airplane 100 miles from a radiotelescope could exceed recommended radio noise levels by 10 times. A potential solution that astronomers have suggested is to install a miniture cell transceiver on each airplane, called a picocell, that would act as a relay using a frequency that wouldn't interfere with their work."

Comments

Cell phones should remain banned on aircraft...

[HaloZero]

I don't want some fat bastard screaming into my ear because his caller can't hear him over the sound of flight, and/or the air pressure pushing on his inner eardrum. It's bad enough that we're crammed into these flights like cattle as it is. I try to be considerate of those around me when flying. No huge laptops (12" PowerBook is ok), no noisy electronics, earbuds turned down to a below-reasonable volume.

The guy sitting next to me is not more important than my headache, when it comes to matters of personal entertainment (or business, even). Cellular phone use in a crowded, quasi-calm/quiet area is simply inconsiderate. Worse in a cramped, often-tense aircraft.