Optical SETI Definitions (Part 1)

Radobs 06

Emerging Technical Civilizations (ETCs):

Is another description for terrens.  While Primitive Technical Civilizations
(PTCs) would also be an apt description of our present state of technology,
the former term is more fitting to our self-esteem.  Also, the word
"emerging" may be important from the point of view of mankind "emerging"
from the confines of his planet.  If there is a "cosmic-zoo" or "non-
interference" directive presently unknowingly in effect, the "emergence" of
mankind from planet Earth, or later from the solar system itself, may be a
significant event that will trigger membership of the Galactic
Communications Network.


Advanced Technical Civilizations (ATCs):

A description that should fit every alien intelligence that has the
technical capability to contact us.  By definition, because of the relative
ages of the universe, our own solar system, and the time it took for
intelligent life to develop on Planet Earth, ATCs will be thousands to
millions of years more advance than we are.  Their technology is likely to
look like "magic" to us.  For this reason, we may ascribed to ATCs technical
capabilities that truly stretch our imagination, as long as we do not break
"known" physical laws, though even that caveat may be debatable.


Optical Spectrum:

That region of the electromagnetic spectrum covering the wavelength range
from the ultraviolet at 300 nm to the far-infrared at 30,000 nm.  It is an
umbrella term covering the ultraviolet, visible, near infrared, infrared and
far-infrared regimes.  This definition is presently used in the
optoelectronics field, and is much broader than the old definition used by
astronomers and scientists to mean just the visible spectrum.  For the
purposes of all future discussions of Optical SETI and to avoid confusion,
the word "optical" is applied in its most broadest sense.  If a particular
part of the "optical" spectrum is referred to, it will be prefaced by the
term "visible", "infrared", etc.


December 16, 1990
RADOBS.06
BBOARD No. 271


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* Dr. Stuart A. Kingsley                       Copyright (c), 1990        *
* AMIEE, SMIEEE                                                           *
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