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https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/ar...
Article . 2023
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
Astrobiology
Article . 2023
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Specular Reflections from Artificial Surfaces as Technosignature

Authors: Jaiswal, Bhavesh;

Specular Reflections from Artificial Surfaces as Technosignature

Abstract

Direct imaging of exoplanets will allow for observation of a planet in reflected light. Such a scenario may eventually allow for the possibility to scan a planetary surface for the presence of artificial structures made by alien civilizations. Detectability of planetary-scale structures, called megastructures, has been previously explored. In this work, we show that it is possible to detect structures of much smaller scale on exoplanetary surfaces by searching for the specular reflection of host starlight from the corresponding structures. As the planet rotates, these reflections can manifest as an optical transient riding atop the rotational light curve of the planet. Due to the directional nature of specular reflection, the reflected signal is very strong, and it is comparable to the planetary flux for surfaces that cover only a few parts per million of the total planetary surface area. By tracking the planet around its orbit, it should be possible to scan the planetary surface for any such structures that cover a size larger than a few parts per million of planetary surface. The proposed method will aid in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence in the era of direct imaging of exoplanets.

Keywords

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP), Extraterrestrial Environment, Exobiology, Planets, FOS: Physical sciences, Civilization, Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph), Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Physics - Popular Physics, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM), Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

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    popularity
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    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
4
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
Green