Question 1

Sending signals at optical wavelengths might be a viable alternative to radio wavelengths

Accepted Answer

A)  only between civilizations around solar-type stars whose eyes have evolved to see such radiation 
B)  over relatively short distances where absorption by interstellar matter would not be a problem 
C)  as long as the light transmitted is a different color than the light given off by the parent star 
D)  over all distances as long as the intensity of the signal is strong enough 
A)  only between civilizations around solar-type stars whose eyes have evolved to see such radiation 
B)  over relatively short distances where absorption by interstellar matter would not be a problem 
C)  as long as the light transmitted is a different color than the light given off by the parent star 
D)  over all distances as long as the intensity of the signal is strong enough B

Question 2

Suppose there are a million habitable planets in our galaxy, that one in ten are habitable, that one in a thousand planets with life had at some point had an intelligent civilization, and that one in a hundred civilizations that has ever existed is in existence now. Given this, how many civilizations are in existence now?

Accepted Answer

A)  10 
B)  1 
C)  1000 
D)  100 
A)  10 
B)  1 
C)  1000 
D)  100 B

Question 3

In 1974 we transmitted a message toward the globular cluster M13 which is 21,000 ly away. What is one reason that this object was probably not ideal for sending a message to?

Accepted Answer

A)  it is so far away that we will probably have stopped communicating before we receive and return signal 
B)  globular clusters contain young, high mass stars with insufficiently long main sequence lifetimes and hence are unsuitable places for life 
C)  the message will be absorbed by interstellar dust before it reaches the cluster 
D)  globular clusters contain, old, low mass stars with fewer heavy elements and hence are not ideal places for life 
A)  it is so far away that we will probably have stopped communicating before we receive and return signal 
B)  globular clusters contain young, high mass stars with insufficiently long main sequence lifetimes and hence are unsuitable places for life 
C)  the message will be absorbed by interstellar dust before it reaches the cluster 
D)  globular clusters contain, old, low mass stars with fewer heavy elements and hence are not ideal places for life D

Question 4

It is unlikely that we will be able to detect the signals from civilizations in other galaxies because

Accepted Answer

A)  signals from other galaxies will be severely weakened by distance, making them far harder for us to detect 
B)  other galaxies are unlikely to harbor intelligent civilizations 
C)  signals from civilizations on other galaxies will not reach us before we give up listening 
D)  they will most likely transmit at wavelengths that will be absorbed by intergalactic gas 
A)  signals from other galaxies will be severely weakened by distance, making them far harder for us to detect 
B)  other galaxies are unlikely to harbor intelligent civilizations 
C)  signals from civilizations on other galaxies will not reach us before we give up listening 
D)  they will most likely transmit at wavelengths that will be absorbed by intergalactic gas

Question 5

Suppose that there are 10 billion (10,000,000,000,000) habitable planets in our galaxy, that 1 in 5 habitable planets has life, that 1 in 1000 planets with life has at some point had an intelligent civilization, and that 1 in 1000 civilizations that have ever existed is in existence now. How many civilizations would exist at present?

Accepted Answer

A)  200,000 
B)  2,000,000 
C)  20,000 
D)  20,000,000 
A)  200,000 
B)  2,000,000 
C)  20,000 
D)  20,000,000

Question 6

On the basis of the scientific method, which of the following would be considered conclusive evidence that we are being visited by aliens?

Accepted Answer

A)  an eyewitness account 
B)  none of these would be conclusive 
C)  claims of alien abduction made under hypnosis 
D)  a photograph 
A)  an eyewitness account 
B)  none of these would be conclusive 
C)  claims of alien abduction made under hypnosis 
D)  a photograph

Question 7

The ratio of an animal's brain weight to body weight is thought to be roughly proportional to its

Accepted Answer

A)  sex drive 
B)  height 
C)  rate of movement 
D)  intelligence 
A)  sex drive 
B)  height 
C)  rate of movement 
D)  intelligence

Question 8

Given that our galaxy has a volume of approximately 8 10¹² ly³, what is the average distance between civilizations if there are currently 1 million intelligent civilizations in our galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A)  1,500 ly 
B)  200 ly 
C)  320 ly 
D)  2,800 ly 
A)  1,500 ly 
B)  200 ly 
C)  320 ly 
D)  2,800 ly

Question 9

Due to increasing amounts of terrestrial radio noise, in the future SETI telescopes may be placed

Accepted Answer

A)  on the tops of tall mountains 
B)  in near-Earth orbit 
C)  on the far side of the Moon 
D)  in remote desert locations 
A)  on the tops of tall mountains 
B)  in near-Earth orbit 
C)  on the far side of the Moon 
D)  in remote desert locations

Question 10

Approximately how soon might we expect an immediate response from a civilization that received the signal we sent to the globular cluster M13 (21,000 light-years away) in 1974?

Accepted Answer

A)  84,000 years 
B)  21,000 years 
C)  10,500 years 
D)  42,000 years 
A)  84,000 years 
B)  21,000 years 
C)  10,500 years 
D)  42,000 years

Question 11

Which of the following physical parameters is NOT under the control of a radio telescope?

Accepted Answer

A)  the direction pointed on the sky 
B)  the bandwidth 
C)  the time of observation 
D)  the band 
A)  the direction pointed on the sky 
B)  the bandwidth 
C)  the time of observation 
D)  the band

Question 12

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system 
B)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
C)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
D)  an intentional signal beacon 
A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system 
B)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
C)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
D)  an intentional signal beacon

Question 13

The Drake equation allows us to estimate the number of

Accepted Answer

A)  intelligent civilizations that have existed in our galaxy during its entire lifetime 
B)  habitable planets on which life has arisen 
C)  intelligent civilizations capable of traveling to the Earth 
D)  intelligent civilizations capable of communicating in our galaxy now 
A)  intelligent civilizations that have existed in our galaxy during its entire lifetime 
B)  habitable planets on which life has arisen 
C)  intelligent civilizations capable of traveling to the Earth 
D)  intelligent civilizations capable of communicating in our galaxy now

Question 14

Which of the following cases in the Drake equation would be the minimum necessary condition for us to be the only intelligent civilization currently in our galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A)  any two of the factors to be zero 
B)  any three of the factors to be zero 
C)  all of the factors to be zero 
D)  any one of the factors to be zero 
A)  any two of the factors to be zero 
B)  any three of the factors to be zero 
C)  all of the factors to be zero 
D)  any one of the factors to be zero

Question 15

An organism with an Encephalization Quotient (EQ) of 4 is expected to be of

Accepted Answer

A)  above-average intelligence 
B)  average intelligence 
C)  the lowest possible intelligence 
D)  below-average intelligence 
A)  above-average intelligence 
B)  average intelligence 
C)  the lowest possible intelligence 
D)  below-average intelligence

Question 16

Currently in the USA, SETI programs are mostly funded

Accepted Answer

A)  privately 
B)  by the US Government 
C)  by the United Nations 
D)  by the National Academy of Sciences 
A)  privately 
B)  by the US Government 
C)  by the United Nations 
D)  by the National Academy of Sciences

Question 17

Optical SETI is useful for

Accepted Answer

A)  focused communication over short distances and in particular directions 
B)  communication over wide areas and large distances 
C)  communication over large distances in directions where interstellar dust is not present 
D)  communication with civilizations which surround similar stars to our Sun and hence have evolved to see visible radiation 
A)  focused communication over short distances and in particular directions 
B)  communication over wide areas and large distances 
C)  communication over large distances in directions where interstellar dust is not present 
D)  communication with civilizations which surround similar stars to our Sun and hence have evolved to see visible radiation

Question 18

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

Accepted Answer

A)  it is the easiest radio frequency to generate 
B)  it is the only radio frequency that is not blocked by interstellar matter 
C)  all intelligent civilizations should be aware of its universal significance and would probably also think of sending and receiving signals at this frequency 
D)  it is the only frequency to which radio telescopes can be tuned 
A)  it is the easiest radio frequency to generate 
B)  it is the only radio frequency that is not blocked by interstellar matter 
C)  all intelligent civilizations should be aware of its universal significance and would probably also think of sending and receiving signals at this frequency 
D)  it is the only frequency to which radio telescopes can be tuned

Question 19

The main problem with early attempts to listen for radio signals from space was

Accepted Answer

A)  that they were conducted at relatively low frequencies which have problems penetrating the Earth's upper atmosphere 
B)  building receivers sensitive enough to detect extraterrestrial signals 
C)  that they were conducted at relatively high frequencies which have problems penetrating the Earth's lower atmosphere 
D)  interference by radio waves from the Sun 
A)  that they were conducted at relatively low frequencies which have problems penetrating the Earth's upper atmosphere 
B)  building receivers sensitive enough to detect extraterrestrial signals 
C)  that they were conducted at relatively high frequencies which have problems penetrating the Earth's lower atmosphere 
D)  interference by radio waves from the Sun

Question 20

About 90% of UFO sightings

Accepted Answer

A)  are hoaxes 
B)  cannot be explained 
C)  are real sightings of alien craft 
D)  can be explained by natural phenomena 
A)  are hoaxes 
B)  cannot be explained 
C)  are real sightings of alien craft 
D)  can be explained by natural phenomena

Sending signals at optical wavelengths might be a viable alternative to radio wavelengths

In 1974 we transmitted a message toward the globular cluster M13 which is 21,000 ly away. What is one reason that this object was probably not ideal for sending a message to?

It is unlikely that we will be able to detect the signals from civilizations in other galaxies because

On the basis of the scientific method, which of the following would be considered conclusive evidence that we are being visited by aliens?

The ratio of an animal's brain weight to body weight is thought to be roughly proportional to its

Given that our galaxy has a volume of approximately 8 10¹² ly³, what is the average distance between civilizations if there are currently 1 million intelligent civilizations in our galaxy?

Due to increasing amounts of terrestrial radio noise, in the future SETI telescopes may be placed

Approximately how soon might we expect an immediate response from a civilization that received the signal we sent to the globular cluster M13 (21,000 light-years away) in 1974?

Which of the following physical parameters is NOT under the control of a radio telescope?

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

The Drake equation allows us to estimate the number of

Which of the following cases in the Drake equation would be the minimum necessary condition for us to be the only intelligent civilization currently in our galaxy?

An organism with an Encephalization Quotient (EQ) of 4 is expected to be of

Currently in the USA, SETI programs are mostly funded

Optical SETI is useful for

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

The main problem with early attempts to listen for radio signals from space was

About 90% of UFO sightings

A Universe of Life

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Extrasolar Planets: Their Nature and Potential Habitability

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

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Exam 12: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Sending signals at optical wavelengths might be a viable alternative to radio wavelengths

In 1974 we transmitted a message toward the globular cluster M13 which is 21,000 ly away. What is one reason that this object was probably not ideal for sending a message to?

It is unlikely that we will be able to detect the signals from civilizations in other galaxies because

On the basis of the scientific method, which of the following would be considered conclusive evidence that we are being visited by aliens?

The ratio of an animal's brain weight to body weight is thought to be roughly proportional to its

Given that our galaxy has a volume of approximately 8 10¹² ly³, what is the average distance between civilizations if there are currently 1 million intelligent civilizations in our galaxy?

Due to increasing amounts of terrestrial radio noise, in the future SETI telescopes may be placed

Approximately how soon might we expect an immediate response from a civilization that received the signal we sent to the globular cluster M13 (21,000 light-years away) in 1974?

Which of the following physical parameters is NOT under the control of a radio telescope?

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

The Drake equation allows us to estimate the number of

Which of the following cases in the Drake equation would be the minimum necessary condition for us to be the only intelligent civilization currently in our galaxy?

An organism with an Encephalization Quotient (EQ) of 4 is expected to be of

Currently in the USA, SETI programs are mostly funded

Optical SETI is useful for

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

The main problem with early attempts to listen for radio signals from space was

About 90% of UFO sightings

A Universe of Life

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Extrasolar Planets: Their Nature and Potential Habitability

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

Filters