SetiQuest

setiQuest is a project of the SETI Institute aimed to improve the search for extra terrestrial intelligence by opening the source code of the software used on the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) to the public for improvement and expansion. setiQuest is open to anyone interested in participating.

setiQuest is split into four subprojects:

• Data/APIs to produce attainable raw data from the ATA for the public.
• Algorithms for the creation of new or faster Algorithms for detection.
• Software for all around improvement to Open SonATA
• Citizen Scientist for those who do not wish to be code developers but would still like to participate in setiQuest. This will become a very important position.

Jill Tarter's TED Prize

Jill Tarter was one of three recipients of the 2009 TED prize. The TED prize targets outstanding individuals and tries to grant them "one wish to change the world". Tarter's wish:

“I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company.”

It is the implementation of this wish which created setiQuest.

Data/APIs

The ATA records a large amount of data each day in their observations which they report to be on the order of 100 terabytes. setiQuest has given members a way to access raw data from the ATA for further processing. setiQuest realizes that its users may be able to produce more efficient algorithms, independent programs and so forth. This would only benefit the SETI Institute in their Quest for intelligent life and represents a great resource for developers

Algorithm Development

Algorithms used on the ATA currently only search for continuous wave signals (that is signals that appear at one frequency as a single tone) or pulsed signals. The hope is that developers on setiQuest will be able to expand the search to other waveforms as well.

Software

more to come

See Also

• Allen Telescope Array
• SETI Institute
• Jill Tarter
• Open SonATA