Do we currently have interstellar com capabilities?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the capabilities of interstellar communication, specifically referencing the 1974 Arecibo message sent towards a star cluster 25,000 light years away at a power of 1000kW. It concludes that while the original signal was largely media hype, a more realistic communication range for an Arecibo-style transmitter is approximately 10,000 light years. This range is significant as it covers a substantial portion of the Orion arm of the Milky Way, where many stars in the galactic habitable zone are located. The effectiveness of such transmissions diminishes greatly beyond this range.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radio wave propagation
  • Familiarity with the Arecibo Observatory and its capabilities
  • Knowledge of the Milky Way's structure, particularly the Orion arm
  • Basic principles of interstellar communication
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the limitations of radio signal detection over vast distances
  • Explore advancements in interstellar communication technologies
  • Study the characteristics of the Orion arm and its stellar population
  • Investigate the historical context and impact of the 1974 Arecibo message
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, science communicators, and anyone interested in the feasibility of interstellar communication and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

newjerseyrunner
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In 1974 we sent a signal out towards a cluster of stars 25,000 light years away at a power of 1000kW. If we had been on the receiving end of that signal, would we have been able to detect it? Basically if you could have two identical Arecibo observatories, what's the maximum range in which they could talk to each other?
 
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The 1974 message beamed by arecibo was mostly media hype. It is unlkely to be recognized by another arecibo at that distance. A more realistic range for an arecibo style transmitter is about 10000 light years, which is still pretty impressive, as noted here http://www.setileague.org/articles/oseti.htm. 10,000 light years would span about half way to the galactic center and, more importantly a significant fraction of the Orion arm of our galaxy - where most stars in the putative galactic habitable zone are believed to reside
 
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