Abstract
One of several explanations for the Fermi Paradox is that the whole Galaxy, including our Solar System, has already been colonized, but that for a variety of reasons the extraterrestrials have chosen not to reveal their presence. In a universal search for extraterrestrial intelligence, it seems prudent to check-out also our own backyard. IRAS has obtained a large volume of infrared data at 12, 25, 60 and 100 microns from which a special working group at JPL, of which the author is a member, is trying to establish a special catalogue of Solar System objects, the vast majority of which are asteroids. A careful search through this data bank for objects with peculiar infrared spectra would be the first step in the search for major artificial objects, such as space stations or materials processing plants, in our Solar System. The asteroid belt is an ideal source of raw materials for space colonies, which could have easily escaped detection lost among the many thousands of natural asteroids. Checking them out for excesses in the infrared is an ideal screening test for artificial objects in our Solar System.
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© 1985 International Astronomical Union
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Papagiannis, M.D. (1985). An Infrared Search in our Solar System as Part of a More Flexible Search Strategy. In: Papagiannis, M.D. (eds) The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Recent Developments. International Astronomical Union, vol 112. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5462-5_66
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5462-5_66
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