High-energy and multimessenger astronomy, covering X-rays, gamma-rays, neutrinos, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves, has had little contact with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). We hope this workshop will help build bridges between these two communities. Topics we hope to cover include:
- Potential technosignatures at high energy and with non-photon messengers, both deliberate attempts at communication and byproducts of industrial activities
- The use of SETI facilities for observations relevant to high-energy astrophysics and cosmology, like radio telescopes searching for dark matter annihilation lines or primordial black hole evaporation
- The use of high-energy or multimessenger facilities for "conventional" SETI, such as the use of Cherenkov telescopes for optical pulse SETI
- Prospects for searching for proposed technosignatures in existing datasets.
We invite people interested in these topics to present at the workshop. Discussion participants are also welcome.
We intend this workshop to be balanced between presentations and discussions. Presentations will include high-level reviews of fields and volunteered talks about specific topics. Discussions will consist of informal breaks, one or more "open floor" discussions, possibly one or more panel discussions, and an opportunity to participate in the Astronomy Coffee of Ohio State.
This will be a hybrid event. We hope to have a robust in-person presence, although capacity may be limited. If you would like to participate in-person or virtually, please fill out the linked form to indicate your interest. Masks may be required for in-person attendance.
There will be a mix of senior and junior-level attendees at the workshop.
Registration: If you would like to attend, please go to MMA-SETI Workshop Registration to register. This form should be used whether or not you wish to present at the workshop, and regardless of if you want to attend in-person or not. These registrations are subject to review.
EVENT DATES: Monday June 23 - Tuesday June 24, 2025
DEADLINES:
- May 23, 2025 – Final date to register for in-person attendees to receive the group rate at the Blackwell (subject to availability)
- June 2, 2025 – Final date to register
LOCATION: Center for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics
Ohio State University
Physics Research Building
191 West Woodruff Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210 USA
LOGISTICS:
- We can accommodate up to 25-30 external guests plus local faculty and additional online attendees. We have secured a block of rooms at the Blackwell, the on-campus hotel, at a discounted rate. Availability is not guaranteed and may only last through May 23, so please book early once we send the link.
- Masks may be required for in-person attendees while in-session.
We hope to see you in June.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Brian Lacki
John Beacom
Amy Connolly
Sofia Sheikh
Todd Thompson
This workshop is supported in part by Breakthrough Listen, sponsored by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.