Question 1

The factor L (the communication lifetime of a civilization)  in the original Drake equation is dependent on

Accepted Answer

A)   astronomy
B)   sociology
C)   biology
D)   chemistryE) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 2

The technique of taking data with a SETI instrument placed on a radio telescope that is also used for other astronomical research is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)   parallel processing
B)   piggybanking
C)   straddling
D)   piggybackingE) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 3

How is intelligence defined in the Drake Equation?

Accepted Answer

A)   a civilization that has developed language
B)   a civilization willing and able to communicate over interstellar distances
C)   a civilization that communicates using telepathy
D)   a civilization capable of spaceflightE) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 4

The adoption of very similar streamlined body shapes by both sharks and dolphins provides evidence for

Accepted Answer

A)   cross-breeding
B)   convergent evolution
C)   genetic mutations
D)   life originating in the oceansE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 5

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is able to carry the most information?

Accepted Answer

A)   gamma rays
B)   microwaves
C)   all types have equal ability
D)   radio wavesE) A) and C)
F) B) and C)

Question 6

The factor fnow, in the Drake equation depends on

Accepted Answer

A)   whether a civilization ever develops intelligence
B)   whether a planet has any kind of life on its surface right now
C)   how technologically advanced civilizations become
D)   how long civilizations survive once they have arisenE) A) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 7

The range of frequencies that a radio telescope is sensitive to is referred to as its

Accepted Answer

A)   sensitivity
B)   band
C)   bandwidth
D)   bandpassE) All of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 8

In principle, the Drake equation should enable us to calculate the exact number of intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication in our galaxy right now. However, currently this is not feasible because

Accepted Answer

A)   we do not have precise values for any of the factors in the equation
B)   it is impossible for us to ever know the precise values of any of the factors
C)   we have precise values for the first three factors, but not the last factor
D)   we have a precise values for the first factor, but not for any of the other factorsE) B) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 9

The major advantage the Allen Telescope Array (which will eventually consist of 350 small radio dishes)  has over a conventional single-dish radio telescope is that it

Accepted Answer

A)   is less expensive to build than a single-dish
B)   is simpler to operate than a single-dish
C)   can monitor several targets simultaneously
D)   can collect more radiation than a single-dish of comparable sizeE) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 10

The 1420 MHz (21 cm)  radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

Accepted Answer

A)   it is the easiest radio frequency to generate
B)   it is the only radio frequency that is not blocked by interstellar matter
C)   all intelligent civilizations should be aware of its universal significance and would probably also think of sending and receiving signals at this frequency
D)   it is the only frequency to which radio telescopes can be tunedE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 11

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor flife, in the Drake equation could be close to

Accepted Answer

A)   1
B)   0.25
C)   0
D)   0.5E) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 12

Which of the following is a prime number?

Accepted Answer

A)   13
B)   21
C)   49
D)   15E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

If we were to intercept a strong radio signal at 1420 MHz in binary format from another civilization, this would be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system
B)   a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist
C)   an intentional signal beacon
D)   a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star systemE) A) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 14

The object recovered from a pasture close to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 is now believed to have been a

Accepted Answer

A)   flying saucer with alien occupants
B)   weather balloon
C)   secret military balloon designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests
D)   small passenger aircraftE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 15

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor flife, in the Drake equation should be

Accepted Answer

A)   close to 0
B)   exactly 0
C)   exactly 1
D)   close to 1E) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 16

Which factor in the modified Drake equation are we best able to estimate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Nhp, the number of habitable planets in our galaxy
B)   fciv, fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent civilizations have at some time arisen
C)   fnow, fraction of civilization-bearing planets that have intelligent civilizations on them now
D)   flife, fraction of life-bearing habitable planets which are intelligent nowE) All of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 17

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system
B)   a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system
C)   a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist
D)   an intentional signal beaconE) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 18

Approximately what percentage of people in the United States believe we have been visited by extraterrestrials?

Accepted Answer

A)   around 30 %
B)   about 50 %
C)   less than 1 %
D)   more than 90 %E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 19

A UFO is

Accepted Answer

A)   an unidentified object seen in the sky
B)   an alien spaceship
C)   a hoax
D)   a natural phenomenonE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 20

Which type of signal could carry the largest amount of information?

Accepted Answer

A)   low intensity
B)   high intensity
C)   large bandwidth
D)   small bandwidthE) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Exam 12: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The major advantage the Allen Telescope Array (which will eventually consist of 350 small radio dishes) has over a conventional single-dish radio telescope is that it

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Approximately what percentage of people in the United States believe we have been visited by extraterrestrials?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor flife, in the Drake equation could be close to

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If we were to intercept a strong radio signal at 1420 MHz in binary format from another civilization, this would be an example of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which factor in the modified Drake equation are we best able to estimate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which type of signal could carry the largest amount of information?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The technique of taking data with a SETI instrument placed on a radio telescope that is also used for other astronomical research is referred to as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The factor fnow, in the Drake equation depends on

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A UFO is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The factor L (the communication lifetime of a civilization) in the original Drake equation is dependent on

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The object recovered from a pasture close to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 is now believed to have been a

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is able to carry the most information?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The range of frequencies that a radio telescope is sensitive to is referred to as its

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor flife, in the Drake equation should be

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a prime number?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In principle, the Drake equation should enable us to calculate the exact number of intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication in our galaxy right now. However, currently this is not feasible because

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The adoption of very similar streamlined body shapes by both sharks and dolphins provides evidence for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How is intelligence defined in the Drake Equation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation could be close to

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The factor f_now, in the Drake equation depends on

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The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation should be

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