The conference was devoted to the problem of extraterrestrial civilizations and communication with them. It was the first experience of many-sided discussion of this problem. Possibilities of existence of outer civilizations with various levels of development were discussed and possible ways of communication with them were considered. It was recognized that the most expedient means of communication are the transmission and reception of radio signals. The subject of cosmic linguistics was broached as well.

Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC):

Local Organizing Committee (LOC):

Scientific Topics:

Academicians V.A. Ambartsumian, Y.B. Zeldovich, V.A. Kotelnikov, prominent scientists A.A. Pistolkors, V.I. Siforov, N.L. Kaidanovsky, B.V. Kukarkin, D.Y. Martynov, V.S. Troitsky, S.E. Khaikin, I.S. Shklovsky, and many other representatives of various scientific institutes of the USSR presented interesting talks and took an active part in the discussions. Altogether, 13 talks were given, including the Introductory talk by V.A. Ambartsumian and a contributed talk by H.M. Tovmassian.

Proceedings: Extraterrestrial Civilizations, Proceedings of an All-Union Conference held in Byurakan on May 20-23, 1964, Ed. H.M. Tovmassian, Academy of Sciences of Armenian SSR, Yerevan 1965, 151 p. (in Russian and English).

Full List of Participants

Ambartsumian V.A., Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), USSR
Boguslavski E.Ya., USSR
Gurzadyan G.A., Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), USSR
Gindilis L.M., USSR
Gladki A.V., Institute of Mathematics, Siberia Section of Acad. Sci., USSR
Herouni P.M., USSR
Kaidanovsky N.L., Principal Astronomical Observatory, Pulkovo, USSR
Kardashev N.S., Sternberg Astronomical Institute (GAISh), Moscow, USSR
Khaikin S.E., Principal Astronomical Observatory, Pulkovo, USSR
Kotelnikov V.A., Institute of Radiotechniques and Electronics, Acad. Sci., USSR
Kukarkin B.V., USSR
Martynov D.Y., USSR
Mirzabekyan E.H., Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), USSR
Novikov I.D., USSR
Pariyski, Yu.N., USSR
Pistolkors A.A., USSR
Razin V.A., USSR
Sahakian G.S., Yerevan State University (YSU), USSR
Shklovsky I.S., Sternberg Astronomical Institute (GAISh), Moscow, USSR
Siforov V.I., Institute of Radiotechniques and Electronics, Acad. Sci., USSR
Slysh V.I., Sternberg Astronomical Institute (GAISh), Moscow, USSR
Troitsky V.S., Radiophysical Research Institute, Gorki State University, USSR
Zeldovich Y.B., USSR
…….