SearchLites - Vol 05 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 5, Number 3, Summer 1999, is the quarterly journal of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on the 1999 Bruno Award winner, Dr. SETI's activities in Vancouver, and various technical and philosophical aspects of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

1999 Bruno Award Winner

The issue introduces Noel Cedric Welstead of Australia as the recipient of the 1999 Bruno Award. Welstead is recognized for his pioneering work in amateur radio astronomy, including building the first amateur SETI observatory in Australia and leading efforts to trace "wigglers" to computer-generated radio frequency interference. He also founded the SETI Research and Community Development Institute and secured a donation of a sixty-foot radio telescope for amateur use. The Bruno Award is named in memory of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake in 1600 for postulating the multiplicity of inhabited worlds.

Dr. SETI Visits Vancouver

Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director of The SETI League, known as Dr. SETI, visited Vancouver, British Columbia, to help launch a new exhibit at Science World titled "The Why Files." His presentation, "Searching for Life Among the Stars," coincided with the exhibit's opening. A regional SETI League meeting was also held, and Dr. Shuch was available for press interviews.

Guest Editorial: Might Dinosaurs Have Achieved Space Travel?

Bruce Cornet, Ph.D., an evolutionary biologist, explores the possibility of dinosaurs evolving into space-faring civilizations. He discusses the evidence for avian/dinosaurian connections and speculates that limitations imposed by specialization for flight might have hindered brain development and tool use in dinosaurs, preventing them from achieving higher intelligence and space exploration.

Standards of Proof for the Detection of Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

Dr. H. Paul Shuch addresses the need for rigorous signal verification protocols in SETI, especially with the rise of nonprofessional participation. He discusses the balance between avoiding false negatives and the negative impact of false positives, the potential for hoaxes, and the importance of a prompt yet measured response to claims of ETI contact. The article concludes by emphasizing the "inter-ocular trauma test" for proof, suggesting that multiple, internally consistent observations by independent groups are crucial for public acceptance.

SETI Today

David Little's article provides an overview of the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI), its history, and current projects. It highlights The SETI League's grassroots approach of building a global network of amateur radio telescopes and its goal of an all-sky survey. The SETI@home project, which utilizes distributed computing power from personal computers, is also discussed as a significant advancement in signal detection.

Software Page: Project Argus Observatory Operating System

This section details the PAOOS (Project Argus Observatory Operating System) software, developed by Brian Adam and R.J. Fear. PAOOS is a Windows 95/98/NT program designed for data collection and submission from Argus Antenna Network sites. It operates in two modes: Configuration Mode for setting up modules and connections, and Run Mode for data collection and display. The article lists the modules included in the first release of PAOOS and notes that the software is undergoing testing and will be distributed free to registered Project Argus stations.

Hardware Page: SETI Receivers: Internal or External?

Milan Hudecek of WINRADIO Communications discusses the advantages and disadvantages of internal versus external PC-based VHF/UHF receivers for SETI. He concludes that practical differences in susceptibility to PC-generated noise are minimal, and the overall system details, including earthing, power supply filtering, and antenna placement, are more critical. Recommendations are made for good RF engineering practices and the use of linear power supplies for external receivers.

Hardware Page: A Quad-Helix Antenna For Hydrogen Line SETI

William H. Black describes the construction and specifications of a quad-helix antenna for SETI research, particularly for the hydrogen line at 1420 MHz. He notes its realistic and formidable possibility for observers with space or covenant restrictions, offering a gain of around 24 dB. The antenna elements can be purchased separately or as a pre-built quad.

Hardware Page: Disabling AGC in the Icom R-7000

Randy Stegemeyer provides a technical guide on how to disable the Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuit in an Icom R-7000 receiver to maximize sensitivity for SETI applications. The modification involves cutting a specific resistor on the IF board.

A SETI Dialog

This section features a Q&A between Professor Ian Morison and Dr. H. Paul Shuch. They discuss the belief in intelligent life, the chances of discovery, the potential impact of such a discovery on humankind, and the detectability of ETI signals, including radio pollution from Earth. Dr. Shuch explains The SETI League's strategy of building a global network of amateur radio telescopes, contrasting it with targeted searches by larger projects. He emphasizes the importance of SETI research as a continuation of humanity's quest for knowledge.

Event Horizon

A calendar of upcoming SETI League participation and related events is listed, spanning from May 1999 to September 2001, including hamventions, conferences, and astronomy meetings.

Ask Dr. SETI®

In this Q&A segment, Dr. SETI addresses two reader questions. The first, from Rolando in Peru, inquires about the impact of Motorola's Iridium satellite constellation on amateur radio astronomy, particularly concerning the hydroxyl radical line. Dr. Shuch explains that while Iridium does not violate ITU allocations, adjacent-channel interference is possible, and an agreement with the European Science Foundation (ESF) provides protection for European astronomers, but similar protection for the rest of the world is uncertain. He notes that while Iridium might be tolerable for Project Argus, future PCS constellations could worsen the situation. The second question, from Gary in Ohio, asks for advice on finding a compatible partner interested in SETI, to which Dr. Shuch suggests joining The SETI League and utilizing its membership channels.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), the technological advancements and challenges in radio astronomy, and the role of amateur enthusiasts. The SETI League's editorial stance is clearly in favor of promoting grassroots participation in SETI research, building a distributed network of observatories, and advocating for the protection of radio astronomy frequencies against interference from satellite constellations. The publication also touches upon broader philosophical questions related to humanity's place in the cosmos and the potential implications of discovering alien life.