Galileo Project Presentation DRAFT - Natasha Donahue

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https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/galileo The Systematic Scientific Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Technological Artifacts DARING TO LOOK THROUGH NEW TELESCOPES Head: Professor Avi Loeb, Harvard Astronomy Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian 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. Research Team Avi Loeb Frank H. Laukien María-Paz Zorzano Angelique Ahlström Jensine Andresen Gaspar Bakos Maya Burhanpurkar Shelley Cheng Richard Cloete Alex Delacroix Sergei Dobroshinsky Natasha Donahue Nathan Galliher Kaylie Hausknecht Kevin Heng Thiem Hoang Joe Hora Nia Imara Ezra Kelderman Nicholas M. Law Michelle Lin Anthony Lux Javier Martin-Torres Eric Masson Andy Mead Gary Melnick Florin-Stefan Morar Amaya Moro-Martin Mitch Randall Vikram Ravi Forrest Schultz Darryl Seligman Anowar J. Shajib Amir Siraj Alan Stern Steven Stetzler Timothy Tavarez Edwin L. Turner Ambuj Varshney Beatriz Villarroel Wesley A. Watters Research Team AREAS OF EXPERTISE Astronomy Software engineering Astrobiology Machine learning and AI Planetary science Electrical engineering Theoretical physics Computer science Experimental physics Observational analysis Instrumentation Chemistry Hardware engineering Biology Affiliates and Collaborators SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD PHILANTHROPIC ADVISORY BOARD PUBLIC OUTREACH AFFILIATES Roberto Abraham Brian Keating Eugene Jhong Tony Lux Charles Alcock Mercedes Lopez-Morales Vinny Jain Daniel Llussà Sagi Ben Ami Seth Shostak Teddy Jones Ezra Kelderman (Keldez) Paul C. W. Davies Rizwan Virk Laukien Science Foundation Taras Matla Pieter van Dokkum Stephen Wolfram William A. Linton Lauren Walser Ferki Ferati Dimitar Sasselov Nick Gold Tyler Tremblay RESEARCH AFFILIATES Christopher Altman Mark Elowitz Farzam Karimi Robert Powell John Tedesco Paul Brennan Stephen C. Finley Hakan Kayal Ohad Raveh Massimo Teodorani Michael Broyde Rob Gaines Philippe Kessen Bradley Reimers Milton Villarroel A. Bert Chabot Noah Gold Kevin Knuth Eno Reyes Gary Voorhis Matt Checkowsky Nathan Goldstein Taras W. Matla Juan Salazar Evin Weissenberg Chris Cogswell Jesse Greco Chris Mellon Michael Shermer Tzvi Weitzner Andy Cyr Michael Hercz Uriel Perez Hassaan Tariq Frank White Lue Elizondo Teddy Jones Nick Pope Gerald Tedesco Dan Wulin Shayling Zhao Project Ground Rules 1. 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 2. 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 3. Our data and analysis will be freely published, documented and archived Validated through peer review Released to the public when ready 4. 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 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 In 2017, the interstellar object 'Oumuamua was discovered: First confirmed interstellar object to visit solar system Exhibited highly anomalous properties, defying well- understood natural explanations 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 In 2021 the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its preliminary report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs): 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 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 Detect and characterize anomalous interstellar objects observe unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) with (ISOs) by analyzing data from astronomical and ground-based tools, analyze UAP observations atmospheric surveys and designing space-based collected by the project, and report the findings in a programs for both remote and proximal observations of rigorous way in order to try to understand their nature ISOs, in order to understand their origin and nature. using known laws of physics. 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 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: Determine their trajectories and characteristics Plan interception missions to photograph ISOs 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. Impact to Society Sub-group 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. 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 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. 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 UAP Project Plan Science Traceability Matrix Instrument Functional Radio/Radar IR Instrumentation Requirements Instrumentation Telescopes (fisheye cameras PACKMAN (weather, magnetic Audio and Infrasound + pointed instr., IR, UV, field, particle count, VIS, UV) (omni & pointed) polarized) Software (data Theoretical Analysis, Scientific Peer-reviewed reduction, archiving, Interpretation and Publications, Presentations to AI, etc) Modelling 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 Phase I Assembly of instrumentation as designed Test at Harvard on the roof of the Center for Astrophysics Phase II Deployment and operation of instrumentation at 8 sites (minimum) UAP Phases and System Design Observational system includes 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) UAP Technology IR, Full-sky VIS NIR 95° FoV Camera 8 x NIR 180° FoV Camera VIS 180° x 180° FOV Camera UAP Technology Particle Count, Magnetic Field and UV imaging, Audio/Infrasound, Radar PACKMAN Environmental Sensor Audio System Radar UAP Analysis and Classification (AI) In order to sort through the large amounts of data that will be generated by our ground-based observational systems, we will utilize machine learning (AI) to detect anomalies in real- time and to classify them within minutes of detection. The developed system will be: 1. Trained on synthetic and real images of various explainable aerial phenomenon 2. Optimized & Audited to ensure high precision and low false-negative rates 3. Countinously improved by retraining our models as more labeled data is accumulated UAP AI Training By taking advantage of decades of computer graphics development, we have developed AeroSynth, a tool that produces synthetic images similar to those our telescopes will capture. Using these synthetic images, we are training our AI models to account for a range of airborne objects and atmospheric phenomena under various weather and lighting conditions. UAP AI Training Our synthetic data will be combined with real images to allow for the creation of larger, more complete datasets that will help ensure our models are robust and capable of understanding the various kinds of conditions and phenomena found in Earth's atmosphere. UAP AI Data Sorting In this way, our AI will filter out known phenomena and flag only those images that warrant further scientific investigation. Once sorted, these images — as well as data from additional data streams (radar, audio, infra-red, etc.) — will be analyzed and interpreted by the Galileo Project research team before release to the scientific and public community for further scrutiny. Example of artistic images rendered with AeroSynth and included only for the purposes of illustration ISO Project Plan Plan for space Discover interstellar missions to obtain meteors in UAP-ETC parallax and high- telescope data resolution images of interstellar objects Discover Discover and follow interstellar objects interstellar objects in the data pipeline in space telescopes of LSST/Pan- (JWST, etc). STARRS/TESS, etc. ISO From UAP-ETC Telescopes Small ISOs can appear as fast meteors in the atmosphere, and in 2019, Siraj & Loeb discovered the first tentatively interstellar meteor larger than dust. The Galileo Project will plan observations and develop software to detect interstellar meteors utilizing our ground-based telescope system. ISO Dedicated Space Missions The Galileo Project will create the first opportunity to directly study material from outside the solar system through missions planned to obtain parallax measurements and high-resolution images of ISOs. ISO Data From Space Telescopes The Galileo Project will plan follow-up observations for the characterization of future ISOs by utilizing space-based telescopes such as the James Webb Telescope. In this endeavor, the Galileo Project will obtain parallax measurements and multiwavelength observations of ISOs from space. ISO Data From Ground-Based Observatories 'Oumuamua was discovered with the ground-based Pan-STARRS Project, and the Galileo Project will develop software to better enable the discovery of ISOs in such data. The Galileo Project will apply this software to data streams from Pan-STARRS and LSST, as well as archival data from DES, TESS, and other surveys. This software will utilize systematic shift-and-stack searches of hyperbolic orbits in these astronomical survey data to help uncover ISOs travelling through the solar system. Interstellar object ‘Oumuamua at the center of the image. It is surrounded by the trails of faint stars that are smeared as the telescopes tracked the moving comet. Credit: ESO/K. Meech et al. Final Project Products 1. An archived, open-access, observational data collection with documented, validated, 3 level data (raw, processed with calibration, and interpreted) 2. Peer-reviewed articles describing the instrument and software design, calibration, validation and initial analyses 3. A GP-project science team summary consensus report about the interpretation of the results. 4. A documented descriptive classification of (more or less known) existing natural and artificial phenomena with their corresponding phenomenology and a sub-set of candidate UAP and ISO objects. For more information and updates visit Head: Professor Avi Loeb, Harvard Astronomy Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian [email protected]