An Extragalactic Widefield Search for Technosignatures with the Murchison Widefield Array

Abstract

It is common for surveys that are designed to find artificial signals generated by distant civilizations to focus on galactic sources. Recently, researchers have started focusing on searching for all other sources within the field observed, including the vast population of background galaxies. Toward a population of galaxies in the background toward the Vela supernova remnant, we search for technosignatures, spectral and temporal features consistent with our understanding of technology. We set transmitter power limits for the detection of signals in a population of over 1300 galaxies within a single field of view observed with the Murchison Widefield Array.

Keywords

• Exoplanets
• Technosignatures
• Extragalactic radio sources
• Extragalactic astronomy