Editing Epsilon Eridani (section)

=== SETI and proposed exploration ===
In 1960, physicists [[Philip Morrison]] and [[Giuseppe Cocconi]] proposed that [[extraterrestrial civilisations]] might be using radio signals for communication.<ref name=gugliucci20100524 /> [[Project Ozma]], led by astronomer [[Frank Drake]], used the [[Tatel Telescope]] to search for such signals from the nearby [[Solar-type star|Sun-like stars]] Epsilon Eridani and [[Tau Ceti]]. The systems were observed at the [[Hydrogen line|emission frequency of neutral hydrogen]], 1,420&nbsp;MHz (21&nbsp;cm). No signals of intelligent extraterrestrial origin were detected.<ref name=heidmann_dunlop1995 /> Drake repeated the experiment in 2010, with the same negative result.<ref name=gugliucci20100524 /> {{Anchor|In fiction}}Despite this lack of success, Epsilon Eridani made its way into science fiction literature and television shows for many years following news of Drake's initial experiment.<ref name=marschall_maran2009 />

In ''Habitable Planets for Man'', a 1964 [[RAND Corporation]] study by space scientist Stephen H. Dole, the probability of a [[habitable planet]] being in orbit around Epsilon Eridani were estimated at 3.3%. Among the known nearby stars, it was listed with the 14 stars that were thought most likely to have a habitable planet.<ref name=dole1964 />

[[William I. McLaughlin]] proposed a new strategy in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence ([[SETI]]) in 1977. He suggested that widely observable events such as [[nova]] explosions might be used by intelligent extraterrestrials to synchronise the transmission and reception of their signals. This idea was tested by the [[National Radio Astronomy Observatory]] in 1988, which used outbursts of [[Nova Cygni 1975]] as the timer. Fifteen days of observation showed no anomalous radio signals coming from Epsilon Eridani.<ref name=baas20_1043 />

Because of the proximity and Sun-like properties of Epsilon Eridani, in 1985 physicist and author [[Robert L. Forward]] considered the system as a plausible target for [[interstellar travel]].<ref name=jsr22_345 /> The following year, the [[British Interplanetary Society]] suggested Epsilon Eridani as one of the targets in its [[Project Daedalus]] study.<ref name=jbis29_94 /> The system has continued to be among the targets of such proposals, such as [[Project Icarus (Interstellar Probe Design Study)|Project Icarus]] in 2011.<ref name=aa20110125 />

Based on its nearby location, Epsilon Eridani was among the target stars for [[Project Phoenix (SETI)|Project Phoenix]], a 1995 [[microwave]] survey for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence.<ref name=henry_asp19930916 /> The project had checked about 800 stars by 2004 but had not yet detected any signals.<ref name=whitehouse_bbc20040325 />