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Ian R Carstairs reports on efforts to extend the search for extraterrestrial intelligence to X and γ‐ray regions. Abstract Traditional Search for Extra‐Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) strategies have used radio, microwave and, to a limited extent, optical searches. But this ignores the higher energy X and γ‐ray regions that a technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilization might use to attract our attention – using messages encoded in discrete photon‐counting exchange, much like the signals seen from pulsars. Here, the methods used in high‐energy pulsar detection and analysis are reviewed and applied to this new SETI initiative.

A two‐day discussion meeting on the latest developments in X‐ray astronomy was held on 19 and 20 February 2002 at the Royal Society, organized by Roger Blandford, Andy Fabian and Ken Pounds. Ian Carstairs reports.