SearchLites - Vol 03 No 1

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 3, Number 1, Winter 1997, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. It is a membership-supported, non-profit, educational, and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. The issue is copyrighted 1997 by The SETI League, Inc.

Membership Meeting Scheduled

The SETI League announces its Third Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for 2 PM Eastern time on Saturday, March 22, 1997, at SETI League Headquarters, 433 Liberty Street, Little Ferry NJ 07643. A quorum requires attendance by one percent of the League's membership. The preliminary agenda includes: Call to Order, Minutes of 1996 Membership Meeting, Financial Report, Committee Reports, Old Business, New Business, Good and Welfare, and Adjournment. Members are encouraged to submit agenda items via email to [email protected]. Written notice of the meeting, with a full agenda and directions, will be mailed to members in good standing.

Ham SETI Nets Expand

This section highlights the expansion of regular on-the-air gatherings for SETI League members who are also radio amateurs. Area Coordinators have established these nets to improve communication and coordination worldwide. The table lists Sunday and Monday gatherings with times, frequencies (14.204 MHz and 3.775 MHz), and net controls (DJOBI and G4KIR). Peter has expanded his operation on 14.204 MHz, the "official SETI League frequency," to determine suitable propagation times between Germany and North America. Members are encouraged to use this frequency for contacts and to call "CQ SETI" if it is not in use. Information on other nets can be sent to [email protected].

Guest Editorial: The Folly of Giordano Bruno

Authored by Prof. Richard W. Pogge of Ohio State University, this editorial examines the life and condemnation of Giordano Bruno (1548-1600). Bruno, a philosopher who espoused Neoplatonism and Copernicanism, was convicted of heresy by the Inquisition and burned at the stake in 1600. While often portrayed as a martyr to free thought, Pogge argues that popular accounts omit two key aspects: the exact grounds for Bruno's conviction are unknown due to lost records, and Copernicanism was not definitively banned until 1664. Furthermore, Bruno's period of exile (1576-1591) was marked by his own difficult personality and alienation of potential protectors, suggesting his misfortunes were largely self-inflicted. His writings did not significantly advance astronomy, but his espousal of Copernicanism and belief in extraterrestrial life, coupled with his dramatic end, have made him a cultural hero. Pogge concludes that Bruno bet on the right horse for questionable reasons, becoming a symbol of Renaissance thought rather than a mere footnote.

Technical Feature: What About Antenna Rotors?

This article addresses a member's question about mounting parabolic dishes for radio telescopes. It explains that for drift-scan mode operation, no motors or computer guidance are needed; the dish is mounted in a fixed position, and the Earth's rotation acts as the rotor. For covering the whole sky, one rotor is needed, typically an "azimuth" rotor modified for elevation control. The article describes how a satellite TV antenna mount, specifically an equatorial mount, can be adapted. It details the use of a horizon-to-horizon arrangement with a chain drive, gears, and pulleys, modified to act as an elevation rotor. The dish is set to a fixed elevation angle (90 degrees minus latitude, with a minor correction) and then rotated 180 degrees from the northern to the southern horizon. The article mentions the use of a commercial Paraclipse 3.7 meter dish and the SETI League Technical Manual for further details. It also touches on calculating declination and sidereal time, recommending "Atomic Clock" software for real-time Local Sidereal Time readout.

Ask Dr. SETI

This section features a letter from K.L. questioning the ethical implications of Frank Drake's 1974 Arecibo transmission to M13, arguing that it crossed national boundaries without consulting other nations, and suggesting that ethical behavior is crucial for long-term survival. Dr. SETI responds by acknowledging the controversy surrounding transmission and mentioning that international protocols are under consideration, with a proposal by Dr. John Billingham. He clarifies that the Arecibo message was a deliberate beamed transmission, primarily a stunt. However, he points out that Earth has been radiating unintentional microwave signals (radio pollution) for 50 years, which SETI hopes to detect from other civilizations. He suggests that most civilizations likely go through an RF polluting stage, offering hope for detecting extraterrestrial life even if beamed transmissions are ethically problematic.

Project Argus Pioneers

This section acknowledges the technical contributions of 24 members of The SETI League who have contributed to the Project Argus Sky Survey. Their stations are either operational or under construction. The article urges participants to return their survey forms promptly, which can be obtained online or by request via email, fax, or mail.

Conference Calendar

A list of upcoming conferences from February 1997 to September 1999 where SETI-related information will be presented. These include Tropical Hamboree, AAAS Annual Meeting, Boskone 34, Lunacon '97, SETI League's Third Annual Membership Meeting, Balticon XXXI, Southeastern VHF Conference, High Frontier Conference, Dayton Hamvention, BayCon '97, Rochester Hamfest, Central States VHF Conference, Lonestarcon 2 / Worldcon, Microwave Update '97, BucCONeer / Worldcon, and Aussiecon Three / Worldcon.

Roster Reminder

Members are reminded that the SETI League's membership roster, originally distributed in September 1996, is due for semi-annual revision. Members can opt out of having their information shared by contacting Headquarters. Those wishing to be included in the next roster must update their contact information by February 15, 1997.

Who's Who in The SETI League

This section lists the key personnel of The SETI League, including the Founder and President (Richard C. Factor), Executive Director (H. Paul Shuch), Secretary (Diana Davidson), Treasurer (Martin Schreiber), Administrator (A. Heather Wood), Registered Agent (Marc Arnold), Trustees, and Advisory Board members, which include notable figures like Arthur C. Clarke and Frank D. Drake.

SETI League Memberships Make Great Gifts!

This section promotes SETI League memberships as gifts, detailing various membership levels (Household, Scholarship, Full, Life, Patron, Director, Benefactor) with corresponding prices. It also lists prices for SETI League merchandise such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, pocket protectors, buttons, a songbook, the SETI League Technical Manual, and Project Cyclops 2nd Printing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around active participation in SETI through various means, including amateur radio nets, technical projects like Project Argus, and attending conferences. The SETI League actively promotes membership and engagement, providing resources and platforms for its members. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry, ethical considerations in SETI, and the collaborative nature of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a clear focus on practical application, community building, and historical context within the field of SETI.