Planetary SETI: What _should_ we be looking for?

From: Alintelbot@aol.com
Date: Thu Jul 22 1999 - 22:42:32 MDT


Assuming that the possibility of finding extraterrestrial artifacts on other
bodies in our solar system isn't a lunatic notion, what sort of things
_should_ we be looking for?

Re. Cydonia: I found the URL below interesting, if for no other reason than
it shows what part of Cydonia was rephotographed by the Mars Global Surveyor.
 The Fort and D&M object, as can be plainly seen, were _not_ imaged even
remotely in their entirety. Note the shape of the "Main City Pyramid" and
the linear cuts around its base. The bifurcated "terrace" (visible in the
lower left) has also been the subject of some debate.

http://www.psrw.com/~markc/Articles/cydoniaUpdate/index.html

It is my personal theory (if Cydonia indeed has artificial structures) that
the "pyramids" and "Face" are examples of modified terrain, which the
hypothetical ETs constructed using pre-existing landforms. The faceted
structure of the "Main City Pyramid" and "D&M Pyramid," for example, could be
a modification used to maximize use of sunlight.

It doesn't particularly bother me that these formations look "rough."
They're _old_ and radically weathered, and quite likely carved out of
existing formations. Consider our plans for moon bases, which call for
literally burying habitat modules under the regolith to shield from radiation.

--Mac Tonnies



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