The COSETI Observatory
Advantages of the optical approach to SETI.
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- Very high effective isotropic radiated powers (EIRPs) resulting in high signal strength and thus high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR).
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- High bandwidth capability to support an Interstellar Information Super Highway (Intra-Galactic Internet). Interstellar dispersion and scintillation effects are not thought to be significant at most laser wavelengths.
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- Immunity to the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) problems that beset MSETI. At present there are no laser interference sources and even if there were, the receivers are so directional that sidelobe interference from future terrestrial laser signals are very unlikely.
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