Glossary of Commonly Used Terms and Abbreviations in the 100th Anniversary Debate

biosignature: A biological marker of life. For example, DNA.

Drake Equation: A simple equation used to estimate the abundance of intelligent and communicative life in our galaxy

exoplanet: A planet orbiting a distant star.

HabEx: Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission

IR: Infrared

JWST: James Webb Space Telescope

Kepler: Kepler space telescope

LUVOIR: Large UltraViolet Optical Infrared Surveyor

Optical: Visible light that humans can see.

SETI: Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence

technosignature: A technological marker of advanced life. For example, a broadcasted radio signal.

TESS: Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite

UV: UltraViolet

WFIRST: Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope


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