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Pulsar Positioning System: A quest for evidence of extraterrestrial engineering (1704.03316v2)

Published 5 Apr 2017 in physics.pop-ph

Abstract: Pulsars have at least two impressive applications. First, they can be used as highly accurate clocks, comparable in stability to atomic clocks; secondly, a small subset of pulsars, millisecond X-ray pulsars, provide all the necessary ingredients for a passive galactic positioning system. This is known in astronautics as X-ray pulsar-based navigation (XNAV). XNAV is comparable to GPS, except that it operates on a galactic scale. I propose a SETI-XNAV research program to test the hypothesis that this pulsar positioning system might be an instance of galactic-scale engineering by extraterrestrial beings (section 4). The paper starts by exposing the basics of pulsar navigation (section 2), continues with a critique of the rejection of the extraterrestrial hypothesis when pulsars were first discovered (section 3). The core section 4 proposes lines of inquiry for SETI-XNAV, related to: the pulsar distribution and power in the galaxy; their population; their evolution; possible pulse synchronizations; pulsar usability when navigating near the speed of light; decoding galactic coordinates; directed panspermia; and information content in pulses. Even if pulsars are natural, they are likely to be used as standards by ETIs in the galaxy (section 5). I discuss possible objections and potential benefits for humanity, whether the research program succeeds or not (section 6).

Citations (11)

Summary

  • The paper's main contribution is introducing the SETI-XNAV hypothesis, proposing that millisecond X-ray pulsars may serve as a precise, ETI-engineered galactic navigation system.
  • It details methodological approaches, including analysis of pulsar distribution anomalies and the use of machine learning to identify potential artificial patterns.
  • The study highlights significant astrobiological and technological implications, suggesting that pulsar-based navigation can advance both SETI research and spaceflight autonomy.

An Analytical Overview of the Pulsar Positioning System Proposal

The paper "Pulsar Positioning System: A Quest for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Engineering" by Clément Vidal explores a radical hypothesis concerning pulsars—specifically millisecond X-ray pulsars—and their potential as a navigational system, possibly engineered on a galactic scale by extraterrestrial intelligences (ETIs). This exploration is both novel and provocative, intersecting fields such as astrophysics, astrobiology, and SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence).

Overview of Pulsar-Based Navigation

Pulsars, particularly millisecond X-ray pulsars (MSXPs), present properties akin to highly stable atomic clocks, making them suitable for a positioning system—X-ray Pulsar-based Navigation (XNAV)—on a galactic scale. Pulsars, as naturally occurring celestial phenomena, provide the basic framework for passive navigation akin to Earth’s GNSS systems but on a far larger scale. Vidal outlines the potential accuracy that can be derived from utilizing pulsars, presenting the possibility of navigational errors being reduced to 100 meters or less.

SETI-XNAV: A Hypothesis of Engineering

The cornerstone of Vidal's proposition is the SETI-XNAV program—an investigative pathway to discern if this pulsar positioning system (PPS) might be a manifestation of extraterrestrial engineering. The paper interrogates the possibility that the spatial distribution, stability, and orientations of pulsars could be deliberate, rather than merely coincidental. Vidal contrasts the pulsar distribution with expected natural distributions, considering adjustments like synchronization waves or binary system alignments as potential markers of artificiality.

Astrobiological Implications

The hypothesis opens several astrobiological questions. If pulsars are employed by ETIs for navigation purposes, it could suggest a shared adoption of natural resources across civilizations for efficiency or necessity. The natural isotropic distribution of millisecond pulsars, contrasting with concentrated disk populations of normal pulsars, is highlighted as a potential indicator of engineered functions suited for universal navigation—much like universally accessible beacons.

Critiques of Traditional Rejections

The standard dismissal of the ETI hypothesis in pulsar discoveries hinges on arguments like the vast energy requirements, natural explanatory models, and non-planetary origins. Vidal addresses these critiques, suggesting that our geocentric and anthropocentric biases unnecessarily limit the speculative scope of SETI. It is noted that the energy requirements and organizational capacities of ETIs could surpass our conceptualizations, enabling them to use existing pulsar outputs for communicative or navigational ends.

Methodological Contributions and Future Directions

Although the suggestion of ET-engineered pulsars can be considered speculative, the paper sets a foundation for rigorous scientific examination through conjectures and refutations as delineated by Popper. This involves examining anomalous pulsar features, distribution patterns, potential synchronization, and comparative studies against control expectations. Vidal also proposes leveraging machine learning for decoding potential broadcast patterns and establishing a universal galactic timing and positioning framework.

The Practical and Theoretical Implications

The consequences of this line of inquiry are substantial. Practically, even if the hypothesis doesn’t subsequently demonstrate artificiality, it enhances our methods in celestial navigation and contributes to precision autonomy in spaceflight. Theoretically, a discourse on convergent technological evolution emerges, drawing parallels between GNSS on Earth and possible PPS on a cosmic level, suggesting a potential cosmic convergence in navigational solutions adopted by disparate intelligences.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Vidal’s paper prompts an intellectual exercise in considering the limits of natural versus artificial celestial configurations. While concrete proof of ETI involvement remains elusive, the investigative framework proposed could significantly advance pulsar studies, providing a fertile ground for both technological developments in space navigation and enriching the conceptual pursuits of SETI. Thus, the research pivots on expanding the SETI landscape from sole reliance on radio signals to include distributed and potentially engineered systems, marking a pivotal evolution in the search for extraterrestrial technology and understanding cosmic engineering possibilities.

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