SETI merit and the galactic plane

Abstract

An easily computed figure of relative merit is defined for stellar targets that takes into account both distance and location relative to the galactic plane. It is based on stellar densities and an assumed exponential distribution of extraterrestrial transmitter powers, and can be readily computed. This parameter has been used to evaluate stellar targets for Project Phoenix to be observed at the Arecibo telescope. Over a range of plausible parameters, use of this merit index produces a better sample than simply ordering target stars by distance, even for the very nearby stars observed by Phoenix.