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 __** Technologies used in the search for life on other planets**__ The science of astronomy dates back dozens of centuries, to people like the Ancient Chinese and egyptians. Various spacecraft allow us to observe distant bodies and detect the rays emitted by them in order to explore space. It is highly likely that earth is not the only place out of all of space with intelligent life, and therefore it certainly seems possible that other civilizations will have developed to or past the point we have and have sent intelligent probes into space in order to make contact with other civilizations, just like we have done. Some space scientists and engineers are looking into constructing faster probes that could travel at 1/10 the speed of light. We must remember that all information we currently have about the Universe beyond our solar system has been transmitted to us by means of [|electro-magnetic radiation] (radio, infrared, optical [ A new technique, called interferometry, combines the light captured by several large telescopes to mimic a single giant telescope with enough power to detect a quarter on the moon from Earth], ultraviolet, X-, and gamma rays), cosmic ray particles (electrons and atomic nuclei), and more recently by neutrinos. These are what the technologies the [|Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] and other scientists use depend on. There is another possible physical carrier, gravitational waves, but they are extremely difficult to detect. __ Specific technologies vital to the search for extraterrestrial life __ Space probe: space vehicle carrying sophisticated instruments and perhaps a message like the one which was carried by the Pioneer Probe (at left)of a man and woman. Contains no crew, designed to explore various aspects of the solar system.  Telescopes: There are 3 main types of telescopes: <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #c0c0c0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more on this topic, please visit [|this cool website.] media type="youtube" key="HJUjsxNj84o" width="425" height="350" Visit Cathy's bibliography.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #c0c0c0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Space telescopes move and navigate in orbit to transmit information or to send clearer view of space to Earth, since its atmosphere can make things hard to see. There are discussions on whether to set up <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #c0c0c0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[[image:http://physics.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/BrauImNew/Chap05/FG05_04.jpg width="399" height="361" align="right" link="http://physics.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/astr122/Notes/Intro.html"]] telescopes on the moon, because its lack of atmosphere leaves a clear view. The Hubble space telescope, which relies on light, and the Spitzer space telescope, which detects heat, are examples.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #c0c0c0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Refracting and reflecting telescopes rely on light to allow the user a clearer view.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #c0c0c0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Radio telescopes have been used to collect cosmic radio waves coming from stars and galaxies. Quasars and back holes were found using radio telescopes. They are used by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence to look for extraterrestrial life through detecting artificial signals.