SearchLites - Vol 05 No 2

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 5, Number 2, Spring 1999, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. It is a membership-supported, nonprofit, educational and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. The ISSN is 1096-5599.

Key Articles and Features

Introducing: Our Regional Coordinator for France

This section introduces Elisabeth Piotelat, born in 1971 in Lons Le Saunier, France. She grew up dreaming of space and developed an interest in science fiction at 18. She pursued a career as a 'generalist engineer,' with training in Germany on frost formation on spacejets and in Nançay on Human-Computer Interfaces. After a difficult year at a chip manufacturer due to disorganization and misogyny, she found a position in the Computing Center of the IN2P3. She discovered The SETI League in March 1998 and has since learned a great deal, aiming to make the League better known in France and potentially build her own station.

Guest Editorial: Speaking for Earth

Jon Lomberg discusses the properties a reply message from Earth should possess: truthful, ecumenical, and elegant. He critiques the trend of including CD ROMs with personal messages on space missions, arguing they are not true messages and can be confused with them. He highlights the difficulty of designing a message that is comprehensible to an alien intelligence, contrasting it with the 'grass-roots' approach of some current initiatives. Lomberg praises the Voyager record's interdisciplinary design and the Sandia Labs nuclear waste marker project as examples of successful, focused design efforts.

Toilets of the Gods or "The Colon-isation of Space"

Sir Arthur C. Clarke discusses findings of 'fecal matter' on orbital debris, humorously suggesting it might be related to the origin of life on Earth. He references Hoyle and Wickramasinghe's theory of a cosmic origin for life, proposing that life might have arisen from 'dumped sewage.' He also touches on the idea of humanity's descendants colonizing space, noting they might be unrecognizable.

Do LDEs Emanate From Alien Probes?

Chris Boyce explores the phenomenon of Long Delayed Echoes (LDEs), radio signals with delays of seconds to minutes. He discusses Anthony Lawton's natural explanation and Duncan Lunan's hypothesis of patterned signals from an interstellar probe. Boyce references his own work and Michael Arbib's 'replicator probe strategy,' suggesting that such probes, possibly autonomous and highly intelligent, could have been exploring our solar system for millions of years.

Science Corner: Testing the Null Hypothesis

John Marcus, MD, discusses the application of the scientific method to SETI, emphasizing the concept of proving the null hypothesis false. He contrasts this with the usual 'real-life' approach of dealing with probabilities, referencing Bayes' theorem. He applies this to SETI, suggesting the null hypothesis is 'There are no ETs,' and Project Argus is designed to find a counterexample.

Apparent Hoax Dismays SETI Scientists

This article reports on a claimed intelligent signal from the EQ Pegasi system, which SETI League executive director Dr. H. Paul Shuch describes as either an elaborate hoax or severely flawed science. None of the SETI League's 63 observing stations could confirm the signal. The report originated from a hacked message, and the perpetrator has not followed SETI protocols or identified themselves, leading to accusations of irresponsible science and discrediting credible endeavors.

Interstellar Nano-Probes

Leon T. Darcy discusses Dr. Allen Tough's idea of micro interstellar probes as an ideal means for extraterrestrial intelligences to explore the universe. He notes that Earth is already using similar technology with probes like Pioneer 10 and 11. Darcy envisions future probes the size of a golf ball, released from shuttle missions, capable of course corrections and orbiting inhabited planets to observe transmissions. He suggests these probes could 'attach' to satellites to recharge and record data, with other probes acting as relays. He also considers the possibility of such probes already being in our solar system, eavesdropping.

Remembering Michael Papagiannis

Dr. Peter Schenkel pays tribute to Dr. Michael Papagiannis, a pioneering mind in SETI, who passed away recently. Papagiannis was an astronomer and enthusiastic supporter of SETI, believing in the high probability of advanced ETI and the potential benefits of contact. He coined the term 'bioastronomy' and was the first editor of Bioastronomy News. Schenkel remembers him as modest, humane, and generous, and notes his contributions to the field.

Computer Radios Not Ideal for SETI

Noel Cedric Welstead discusses the limitations of computer-based microwave receivers, such as the WinRadio, for SETI. He explains that the high levels of interference generated within modern computers make it difficult to detect the impossibly weak signals targeted by SETI. He advises using well-shielded equipment and minimizing system components to reduce false hits.

Mini-Reviews

• This section provides brief reviews of several books:
• *Infinite in all Directions* by Freeman Dyson: Praised for its philosophical insights but lacking data.
• *Astronomy and Cosmology* by Fred Hoyle: A well-organized, entry-level text.
• *The Story of Jodrell Bank* by Sir Bernard Lovell: Recommended for anyone considering building a radio telescope.
• *Home Is Where the Wind Blows* by Fred Hoyle: Described as a meandering account of travels with little data.
• *Pale Blue Dot* by Carl Sagan: Criticized for saying little despite Sagan's scientific mind, seen as a public relations push for science.

Ask Dr. SETI

In this Q&A section, Dr. SETI (Ph.D.) addresses a question from Randy, Oz, about Doppler corrections for Earth's orbit around the Sun. The response clarifies that while Geo-rotational Doppler is addressed, the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the Sun's orbit around the Galactic Center are larger components. The focus is on the *rate of change* of Doppler shift, which is crucial for distinguishing extra-solar signals from terrestrial ones. SETI League Software Committee co-chairman Dan Fox adds that formulas for these larger Doppler shifts could be useful for radio astronomy.

Conference Calendar

A calendar lists upcoming SETI-related conferences and meetings from February 1999 through August 2001, with locations and dates.

Membership Information and Premiums

The back page provides details on SETI League membership levels, benefits, and options for payment via Visa or MasterCard. It also lists various merchandise premiums available for purchase, such as T-shirts, mouse pads, and technical manuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the practical and theoretical challenges of SETI, including signal detection, message design, and the scientific methodology employed. There's a consistent emphasis on rigorous scientific inquiry, a critique of less scientifically sound approaches (like the EQ Pegasi hoax), and a forward-looking perspective on the potential for future discoveries and technological advancements in the field. The SETI League positions itself as a central organization for amateur and professional SETI enthusiasts, providing resources, information, and a platform for discussion and research.