The Science of Technosignatures

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has expanded beyond traditional radio signals to encompass a broader range of observable phenomena known as technosignatures. Just like biosignatures, which are signs of biological activity on a planet, technosignatures are signs of technological activity of a civilization. NASA considers technosignatures “ are a subset of the larger and far more mature search for biosignatures”. This presentation will discuss the various technosignatures that could be spectroscopically observed by NASA flagship missions like JWST, Roman and Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), in addition to upcoming large ground-based telescopes. The presentation will also discuss the challenges and limitations associated with the identification and interpretation of technosignatures. Search for both atmospheric bio and technosignatures can be done simultaneously at no additional resource expense. This presentation will highlight this aspect so that future searches could include technosignatures in their work.