Foreword
The fascinating SETI—Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence—program is
experiencing renewed worldwide interest due to several favorable circumstances.
From a scientific point of view, the discovery of thousands of planets outside the
Solar System in just a tiny portion of our Galaxy, the breathtaking results on the
atmosphere and geology of Mars and the progress in astrobiology encourage us to
revisit the SETI objectives. At the same time, the improved parameter space of the
most advanced astronomical facilities in all bands of the spectrum provides an
enormous increase in the potential of current observations, which is essential for the
SETI project.
In September 2019, the Italian astronomical community met in Rome to discuss
the state of the art of SETI research and its perspectives, in light of the current and
forthcoming scientific and technological landscape.
Only one year after this Second INAF SETI Meeting, our community unexpectedly lost its President, Prof. Nichi D’Amico. With his inclusive and openminded approach to science, which we will all miss, Nichi has always supported
SETI research, and recognized its relevance among INAF activities. This volume is
gratefully dedicated to his memory.
Bologna, Italy
Tiziana Venturi
Director of Institute of Radio
Astronomy-INAF
vii
The fascinating SETI—Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence—program is
experiencing renewed worldwide interest due to several favorable circumstances.
From a scientific point of view, the discovery of thousands of planets outside the
Solar System in just a tiny portion of our Galaxy, the breathtaking results on the
atmosphere and geology of Mars and the progress in astrobiology encourage us to
revisit the SETI objectives. At the same time, the improved parameter space of the
most advanced astronomical facilities in all bands of the spectrum provides an
enormous increase in the potential of current observations, which is essential for the
SETI project.
In September 2019, the Italian astronomical community met in Rome to discuss
the state of the art of SETI research and its perspectives, in light of the current and
forthcoming scientific and technological landscape.
Only one year after this Second INAF SETI Meeting, our community unexpectedly lost its President, Prof. Nichi D’Amico. With his inclusive and openminded approach to science, which we will all miss, Nichi has always supported
SETI research, and recognized its relevance among INAF activities. This volume is
gratefully dedicated to his memory.
Bologna, Italy
Tiziana Venturi
Director of Institute of Radio
Astronomy-INAF
vii