Optical SETI with NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder

Abstract

NASA's space-borne nulling interferometer (the Terrestrial Planet Finder—TPF) will look for the traces of early life in the infrared spectra of extrasolar planets, beginning in roughly 2010. We point out that this instrument, as currently envisioned, will also be sensitive to deliberate laser transmissions from a technologically advanced civilization. A kilowatt-class infrared laser with a 10-m beam director would produce a signal visible to TPF at a range of 15 pc that is distinguishable from astrophysical phenomena and noise.