https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/galileo Head: Professor Avi Loeb, Harvard Astronomy Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian DARING TO LOOK THROUGH NEW TELESCOPES The Systematic Scientific Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Technological Artifacts Overarching Goals To evaluate the hypothesis of the existence of unidentified aerial phenomena against a new set of unbiased observations generated by a national (potentially international) network of ground-based, dedicated, scientific observatories To understand the origins of interstellar objects (ISOs) that appear to behave differently from typical asteroids and comets, like `Oumuamua, through discovery and characterization initiatives involving astronomical and atmospheric surveys as well as space-based observations Natasha Donahue Nathan Galliher Kaylie Hausknecht Kevin Heng Thiem Hoang Joe Hora Nia Imara Ezra Kelderman Michelle Lin Anthony Lux Javier Martin-Torres Gary Melnick Amaya Moro-Martin Mitch Randall Vikram Ravi Darryl Seligman Amir Siraj Alan Stern Steven Stetzler Timothy Tavarez Edwin L. Turner Ambuj Varshney Beatriz Villarroel Wesley A. Watters Avi Loeb Frank H. Laukien Angelique Ahlström Jensine Andresen Gaspar Bakos Maya Burhanpurkar Shelley Cheng Richard Cloete Nicholas M. Law Anowar J. Shajib Forrest Schultz Sergei Dobroshinsky Eric Masson Andy Mead Florin-Stefan Morar Alex Delacroix María-Paz Zorzano Research Team Research Team Software engineering Machine learning and AI Electrical engineering Computer science Observational analysis Chemistry Biology AREAS OF EXPERTISE Astronomy Astrobiology Planetary science Theoretical physics Experimental physics Instrumentation Hardware engineering Affiliates and Collaborators SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD Roberto Abraham Charles Alcock Sagi Ben Ami Paul C. W. Davies Pieter van Dokkum Ferki Ferati PHILANTHROPIC ADVISORY BOARD Eugene Jhong Vinny Jain Teddy Jones Laukien Science Foundation William A. Linton RESEARCH AFFILIATES Christopher Altman Paul Brennan Michael Broyde A. Bert Chabot Matt Checkowsky Chris Cogswell Andy Cyr Lue Elizondo Mark Elowitz Stephen C. Finley Rob Gaines Noah Gold Nathan Goldstein Jesse Greco Michael Hercz Teddy Jones Farzam Karimi Hakan Kayal Philippe Kessen Kevin Knuth Taras W. Matla Chris Mellon Uriel Perez Nick Pope Robert Powell Ohad Raveh Bradley Reimers Eno Reyes Juan Salazar Michael Shermer Hassaan Tariq Gerald Tedesco Brian Keating Mercedes Lopez-Morales Seth Shostak Rizwan Virk Stephen Wolfram Dimitar Sasselov Tony Lux Daniel Llussà Ezra Kelderman (Keldez) Taras Matla Lauren Walser Nick Gold Tyler Tremblay John Tedesco Massimo Teodorani Milton Villarroel Gary Voorhis Evin Weissenberg Tzvi Weitzner Frank White Dan Wulin Shayling Zhao PUBLIC OUTREACH AFFILIATES Project Ground Rules We do not work with classified information or unreliable past data GP will work only with new data collected from its own telescope systems under the full and exclusive control of the Galileo Project research team Our analysis of the data is based solely on known physics GP scope will remain in the realm of scientific hypotheses, testable through rigorous data collection and analysis Fringe ideas about extensions to the standard model of physics outside our scope Our data and analysis will be freely published, documented and archived Validated through peer review Released to the public when ready No results released except through scientifically-accepted channels of publication We do not publicize the details of our internal discussions We do not share the specifications of our experimental hardware or software before we have finalized our work 1. 2. 3. 4. Background: Exoplanets The discovery of multitudes of Earth-like exoplanets previously unknown to us within our own Milky Way showcases the need to explore the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe. We now know that Earth-like planets are some of the most common in the galaxy. There is an increasing scientific interest in analyzing the potential remote detection of biomarkers in the atmospheres of habitable exoplanets . In recent decades, several scientific projects have also focused on the search for technological signals from exoplanets. To date, there has been no similar scientific survey for potential technological artifacts in the vicinity of our own planet, Earth Image Credit: PHL @ UPR Arecibo, ESA/Hubble, NASA Background: 'Oumuamua First confirmed interstellar object to visit solar system Exhibited highly anomalous properties, defying well- understood natural explanations In 2017 , the interstellar object 'Oumuamua was discovered: Is 'Oumuamua a natural phenomenon created by never before seen processes, or is it an extraterrestrial technological artifact, such as a light-sail or communication dish? Is it a frozen nitrogen fragment from an exoplanet? How frequently do these objects enter the solar system? Following the scientific method , all options should be kept on the table. 'Oumuamua Artist's Concept Credit: European Southern Observatory/M. Kornmesser Background: ODNI Report Assessment of 144 unexplained military reports of encounters between 2004 and 2021 Evidence of performance well beyond current technological capabilities , ruling out foreign and domestic sources Collected data too limited to make more concrete assessments at this time, more investigation and better collection processes urged In 2021 the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its preliminary report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) : Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Background In light of these developments, we believe the scientific community must now pay attention, and apply systematic and transparent scientific methodology to the study of these phenomena. Discoveries in this pursuit would have enormous impact on science and the entirety of the human experience. Any investigation into poorly understood phenomena will result in scientific advances, regardless of the origin. We must dare to look through new telescopes literally and figuratively in order to pursue the scientific method objectively and make new discoveries. Project Branches UAP Branch ISO Branch Create an approach to scientifically and systematically observe unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) with ground-based tools, analyze UAP observations collected by the project, and report the findings in a rigorous way in order to try to understand their nature using known laws of physics. Detect and characterize anomalous interstellar objects (ISOs) by analyzing data from astronomical and atmospheric surveys and designing space-based programs for both remote and proximal observations of ISOs, in order to understand their origin and nature. Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. UAP Branch Over 50 years since the culmination of Project Blue Book and the report from the National Academy of Sciences. Anecdotal accounts and fragmentary evidence of UAP continue to be reported within the general population and the U.S. Armed Forces These anecdotes in part fuel questions science must seek to answer using systematic and objective tools and methodologies. The Galileo Project is forming such a framework for this pursuit, using scientific ground-based instruments fully operated and analyzed by an international team of civilian scientists. ISO Branch Determine their trajectories and characteristics Plan interception missions to photograph ISOs Along with scientific inquiry into the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, the Galileo Project will study and analyze anomalous interstellar objects (ISOs) in order to: The inquiry into interstellar objects such as 'Oumuamua, which resemble nothing before seen in the solar system , will be undertaken in an objectively scientific manner utilizing tools operated by scientists. There is no doubt that any discovery of extraterrestrial civilizations would have a momentous impact on society For this reason, the Galileo Project has established a sub-group committed to understanding and preparing for potential ways that society could be impacted by this work. Impact to Society Sub-group Project Approach In order to keep confidence in the work, one of the important foundations of the Galileo Project is the need to carefully analyze and present information to avoid the spread of false positive results. Project Approach The CoLD scale. An example of a progressive scale for communicating the nature of results that may provide evidence for life. James Green, Tori Hoehler, Marc Neveu, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Daniella Scalice & Mary Voytek Call for a framework for reporting evidence for life beyond Earth Nature | Vol 598 | 28 October 2021 | pp. 575 - 579 The Galileo Project will follow the CoLD scale , which has been proposed to help determine if there is evidence of extraterrestrial life (solar planets, moons, and exoplanets) in a methodical, systematic way. In the case of the Galileo Project, it shall be applied to evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations in the context of Earth , and to any potential evidence of extraterrestrial life connected to ISOs UAP Project Plan Science Traceability Matrix Instrument Functional Requirements Radio/Radar Instrumentation IR Instrumentation Telescopes (fisheye cameras + pointed instr., IR, UV, polarized) PACKMAN (weather, magnetic field, particle count, VIS, UV) Audio and Infrasound (omni & pointed) Software (data reduction, archiving, AI, etc) Theoretical Analysis, Interpretation and Modelling Scientific Peer-reviewed Publications, Presentations to External Panels UAP Methodology Operate calibrated, secured end-to-end, autonomously operated scientific instruments Monitor the sky simultaneously from different, strategically selected sites Analyze data via autonomous AI classification Deploy 8-10 observatories in the U.S. within 1 year Nominal mission duration: 5 years Acquire new data continuously Analyze in real time Screen, label, calibrate, interpret and archive UAP Phases and System Design Assembly of instrumentation as designed Test at Harvard on the roof of the Center for Astrophysics Deployment and operation of instrumentation at 8 sites (minimum) Phase I Phase II UAP Phases and System Design Full-sky view (non-targeted) IR and VIS cameras Targeted VIS telescope/camera Directed audio system Omnidirectional infrasound system Radio/passive radar PACKMAN (particle count, magnetic field, weather station/UV/VIS images) Observational system includes