SearchLites

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Volume 2 Number 2
Date: Spring 1996
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Project Argus Launch

The lead story details the launch of Project Argus on April 21, 1996, by The SETI League. This initiative aims to conduct a real-time, all-sky survey for microwave signals from intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations. The project utilizes a network of small, inexpensive amateur radiotelescopes, coordinated to achieve broad coverage. Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director of The SETI League, is quoted expressing optimism about expanding the network from five initial stations to 500 within two years and 5,000 by 2001, ultimately covering the entire sky. He emphasizes that this effort seeks to answer the fundamental question of whether humanity is alone in the universe. The article highlights that traditional research-grade telescopes can only view a tiny fraction of the sky, making all-sky coverage with such instruments prohibitively expensive.

Radio Astronomy Pioneer John Kraus Honored

This section announces that John Kraus, a pioneer in radio astronomy and designer of the Ohio State University Big Ear radio telescope, will receive the 1996 Special Achievement Award from the Dayton Amateur Radio Association. The award ceremony is scheduled for May 18, 1996, at the Dayton Hamvention. Dr. H. Paul Shuch will present the award and perform a new song honoring Kraus. Due to health reasons, Kraus will not attend, and the award will be accepted by Dr. Robert Dixon, a former student of Kraus and deputy director of the Ohio State University Radio Observatory.

SETI League Activities and Membership

Minutes of the Second Annual Membership Meeting

• The minutes document the meeting held on April 21, 1996, at The SETI League headquarters. Key points include:
• Officers: Richard Factor was re-elected President, and Diana Davidson was re-elected Secretary.
• Treasurer's Report: The League has sufficient funds for operations and is working to increase memberships, donations, and merchandise sales.
• Membership: The League has 309 members in good standing, including 8 Life Members, from 39 states and 15 countries. The initial goal was 150 members.
• Correspondence: A fax from member Alfred Mosser was read, and other greetings were posted.
• Project Argus Surveys: Fifteen survey forms from Project Argus participants have been returned.
• Web Site: The World Wide Web site has been operational for 16 months, receiving approximately 1,000 membership inquiries via the Internet.
• Tax Status: The SETI League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, making contributions tax-deductible.
• Personnel: Dr. H. Paul Shuch is on a one-year sabbatical from Pennsylvania College of Technology, extended for a second year, to continue his service to The SETI League.

Technical Information

The low-noise microwave preamplifier designed by Dr. Shuch is being manufactured by Down East Microwave, with royalties paid to The SETI League. The Technical Manual for setting up a SETI station is available in print and online.

Publications

The SETI League is reprinting the Project Cyclops document, a 1971 NASA study for a large-scale SETI search. The second edition includes an introduction by Bernard M. Oliver and a tribute by Dr. John Billingham.

Conferences

A planned conference in Trenton was canceled due to scheduling conflicts with the BioAstronomy Conference in Capri. Dr. Shuch reported attending 42 conferences and noted that his honoraria are returned to The SETI League. The BioAstronomy Conference has a history dating back to 1961, with Dr. Shuch's paper on Project Argus accepted for the upcoming conference in Capri.

Publicity

The SETI League has received significant press attention from various publications and interviews on radio and television.

Concluding Remarks

Richard Factor thanked Dr. Shuch for his work. A videotape of Dr. Shuch's interview was shown, and he performed his song "Jansky's Song."

Guest Editorial: The "L" Paradox

Dr. Charles T. Rubin of Duquesne University discusses the "L" Paradox, which relates the number of detectable civilizations (N) to their longevity (L). He notes that while a large L increases the probability of contact, it also implies an accumulation of civilizations, making the radio sky artificially bright. However, SETI results do not support this. Rubin suggests that perhaps civilizations have very short lifespans, or that we are all at a similar, relatively early stage of technological development in the universe.

Special Event Station

An attempt to contact members via amateur radio during the Project Argus launch ceremonies was only moderately successful due to poor propagation conditions. Six stations were contacted, including two active members. Volunteers assisted in setting up and operating the station.

Surveys, Photos, URLs Sought

The SETI League is requesting members participating in Project Argus to return survey forms to help achieve the goal of 5,000 operational stations. Members are also encouraged to submit photos of their SETI systems for the World Wide Web site and to provide their home page URLs.

Argus Launch Buttons, Pioneer Certificates Offered

Attendees of the Project Argus launch ceremonies received commemorative buttons. Members may obtain these for a small contribution. Members with operational SETI systems on Earth Day are eligible for Argus Pioneer certificates.

Conference Calendar

A comprehensive calendar lists upcoming conferences related to SETI and amateur radio from May 1996 to August 1998, providing dates, locations, and sponsoring organizations.

SETI League Memberships and Merchandise

The newsletter includes information on various membership levels, from Household to Director, and a price list for merchandise such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, buttons, and technical manuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the active pursuit of the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) through practical projects like Project Argus and the recognition of key figures in the field. The SETI League positions itself as a non-profit, membership-supported organization dedicated to advancing SETI research, particularly through amateur participation and technological innovation. The editorial stance is one of persistent, long-term dedication to the SETI mission, acknowledging the challenges but emphasizing the importance of the quest and the collaborative nature of the effort. There is a clear focus on community engagement, information dissemination (via newsletters, web sites, and conferences), and the privatization of SETI research following the termination of NASA funding.