This book is a collection of essays written by the very scientists and engineers who have led, and continue to lead, the scientific quest known as SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Divided into three parts, the first section, 'The Spirit of SETI Past', written by the surviving pioneers of this then emerging discipline, reviews the major projects undertaken during the first 50 years of SETI science and the results of that research.
In the second section, 'The Spirit of SETI Present', the present-day science and technology is discussed in detail, providing the technical background to contemporary SETI instruments, experiments, and analytical techniques, including the processing of the received signals to extract potential alien communications.
In the third and final section, 'The Spirit of SETI Future', the book looks ahead to the possible directions that SETI will take in the next 50 years, addressing such important topics as interstellar message construction, the risks and assumptions of interstellar communications, when we might make contact, what aliens might look like and what is likely to happen in the aftermath of such a contact.
In the second section, 'The Spirit of SETI Present', the present-day science and technology is discussed in detail, providing the technical background to contemporary SETI instruments, experiments, and analytical techniques, including the processing of the received signals to extract potential alien communications.
In the third and final section, 'The Spirit of SETI Future', the book looks ahead to the possible directions that SETI will take in the next 50 years, addressing such important topics as interstellar message construction, the risks and assumptions of interstellar communications, when we might make contact, what aliens might look like and what is likely to happen in the aftermath of such a contact.
From the reviews:
"This book gives an in-depth overview of the history of SETI ... . if you're interested in Extraterrestrial Intelligence, though not necessarily in radio-astronomy and the specific SETI projects, this book is a good encyclopedia type of book. If you manage to read it all from cover to cover, you'll be certainly able to impress anyone coming to ask you whether you've seen little green men while observing Mars or anyone trying to corner you with questions about aliens." (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, September, 2013)
"From October 30 to November 3, 1961, a small group of experts from a wide range of disciplines met in an attempt to estimate the number of technological civilizations in the galaxy. This book is a celebration of that meeting, and it is fitting that its 30 articles are written by experts from diverse fields. ... the material is accessible to a lay audience, and the writing is generally clear and engaging. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels." (T. Barker, Choice, Vol. 49 (4), December, 2011)
"It is fascinating to see how much has changed, and how much hasn't changed, with the arrival of this hefty tome nearly half a century later. ... if you have a serious interest in SETI, this book provides the wide, eye-opening overview that other book lack. A must buy." (Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now, June, 2011)
"This book gives an in-depth overview of the history of SETI ... . if you're interested in Extraterrestrial Intelligence, though not necessarily in radio-astronomy and the specific SETI projects, this book is a good encyclopedia type of book. If you manage to read it all from cover to cover, you'll be certainly able to impress anyone coming to ask you whether you've seen little green men while observing Mars or anyone trying to corner you with questions about aliens." (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, September, 2013)
"From October 30 to November 3, 1961, a small group of experts from a wide range of disciplines met in an attempt to estimate the number of technological civilizations in the galaxy. This book is a celebration of that meeting, and it is fitting that its 30 articles are written by experts from diverse fields. ... the material is accessible to a lay audience, and the writing is generally clear and engaging. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels." (T. Barker, Choice, Vol. 49 (4), December, 2011)
"It is fascinating to see how much has changed, and how much hasn't changed, with the arrival of this hefty tome nearly half a century later. ... if you have a serious interest in SETI, this book provides the wide, eye-opening overview that other book lack. A must buy." (Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now, June, 2011)