Searching for technosignatures in exoplanetary systems with current andfuture missions

Abstract

Technosignatures refer to observational manifestations of technology that could be detected through astronom-ical means. Most previous searches for technosignatures have focused on searches for radio signals, but manycurrent and future observing facilities could also constrain the prevalence of some non-radio technosignatures.This search could thus benefit from broader participation by the astronomical community, as contributionsto technosignature science can also take the form of negative results that provide statistically meaningfulquantitative upper limits on the presence of a signal. This paper provides a synthesis of the recommendationsof the 2020 TechnoClimes workshop, which was an online event intended to develop a research agendato prioritize and guide future theoretical and observational studies technosignatures. The paper provides ahigh-level overview of the use of current and future missions to detect exoplanetary technosignatures atultraviolet, optical, or infrared wavelengths, which specifically focuses on the detectability of atmospherictechnosignatures, artificial surface modifications, optical beacons, space engineering and megastructures, andinterstellar flight. This overview does not derive any new quantitative detection limits but is intended toprovide additional science justification for the use of current and planned observing facilities as well as toinspire astronomers conducting such observations to consider the relevance of their ongoing observations totechnosignature science. This synthesis also identifies possible technology gaps with the ability of current andplanned missions to search for technosignatures, which suggests the need to consider technosignature sciencecases in the design of future mission concepts