GBT19B-033

Observing Earth's Radio Leakage from Lunar Reflections

Abstract

We propose to use the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) to observe Earth's radio leakage radiation as reflected from the moon in the 290-1230 MHz range. These observations will give an indication of how the characteristics and detectability of Earth's radio leakage, as seen by an external observer, have changed since a similar measurement was last performed four decades ago. These data will also aid the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) by serving as an example of a planetary-integrated signal emanating from a technological civilization, which can be used to evaluate or calibrate signal processing algorithms that attempt to detect evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) in SETI surveys.

While our ideal allocation would be four 12-hr periods, mostly at night and near full moon (within 3-4 days), we can still obtain valuable and useful data for much shorter periods that might be assigned, as well as for less total time.

We have profited from the TAC's feedback in earlier proposals for 18A and 18B, which allowed PI Jacob Haqq-Misra to establish contact with Ron Maddalena and become qualified as a remote observer with the GBT.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Jacob Haqq-Misra *	Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Julia DeMarines	Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Dave MacMahon	California at Berkeley, University of
Steve Croft	California at Berkeley, University of
gregory hellbourg	California at Berkeley, University of
Sanjoy Som	Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
woodruff sullivan	Washington, University of
Andrew Siemion	California at Berkeley, University of; Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; Nijmegen, Radboud Universiteit
Edward Schwieterman	Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

* indicates the PI