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SETI@Home Adds New Search Method

Posted by Soulskill on from the look-for-interstellar-torrents dept.

Adam Korbitz writes to point out that SETI@Home has added a new algorithm for use in evaluating signals from outer space. It's called "Astropulse," and they've made the scientific details available. Quoting: "The original SETI@home is narrowband, meaning that it is listening for a particular radio frequency. That's like listening to an orchestra playing, and trying to hear when anyone plays the note "A sharp." Astropulse listens for short-time pulses. In the orchestra analogy, it's like listening for a quick drum beat, or a series of drumbeats. Since no one knows what extraterrestrial communications will 'sound like,' it seems like a good idea to search for several types of signals. In scientific terms, Astropulse is a sky survey that searches for microsecond transient radio pulses."

5 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Yes but by strelitsa · · Score: 0, Troll

    Finding ET would only strengthen my "outdated superstitious beliefs".

    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

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    No mod points, no meta-moderating/Firehose/all the other free work Slashdot wants me to do.
  2. Re:Yes but by Joebert · · Score: 0, Troll

    The proven existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life will have a profound effect on a lot of people's core religious beliefs. That alone will have a major effect on society and it might just turn a few people away from their outdated superstitious beliefs. I consider that a tangible benefit.

    You're right.
    Instead of having masses of God-fearing civilized people, we'll have masses of people whos' only fear is not achieving their goals or fulfilling their lustfull desires before they die.

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    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  3. Re:Yes but by Macrat · · Score: 0, Troll

    True, but who are you to say what others due with their free CPU cycles?

    True, but it would be nice if other spent those cycles on something worthwhile like Folding@home.

  4. Re:Erm... by Joebert · · Score: 0, Troll

    What's your point, what are you trying to say ?

    --
    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  5. Re:Yes but by WgT2 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Ultimately, as pointed out, it is a waste to use electricity on SETI.

    Proverbs 17:24
    Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

    In this case: it is wisdom to pursue Folding at Home. It is foolishness to be looking, as it were, afar to the empty hope that SETI is.