SearchLites - Vol 05 No 4

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 5, Number 4, Autumn 1999, is the quarterly journal of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on various aspects of SETI research, amateur radio astronomy, and related scientific and speculative topics.

Introducing: Our Regional Coordinator for Ukraine

This section introduces Alexey V. Arkhipov, the SETI League's Regional Coordinator for Ukraine. Arkhipov holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in astronomy and astrophysics, with a dissertation on 'New approaches to the problem of search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.' His professional experience includes research at institutes in Ukraine. He specializes in Decametric radio emissions of Jupiter and is involved in Project SAAM (Search for Alien Artifacts on the Moon), which uses computer algorithms to search for promising objects on the Moon for archaeological reconnaissance. He also collects information about promising finds in prehuman layers on Earth that might be extraterrestrial artifacts.

A Word from our Founder

SETI League President Richard Factor reflects on the founding of The SETI League in October 1993, following the termination of NASA's SETI program funding. He emphasizes the importance of membership-supported, nonprofit ventures for continuing SETI research and encourages support for the SETI League's Endowment Fund.

Guest Editorial: Communication by Entangled Particles

Leon T. Darcy, from the Extra Terrestrial Research Centre, explores alternative modes of interstellar communication beyond the electromagnetic spectrum. He posits that alien intelligences might use different sensory ranges and that quantum particle entanglement, which allows instantaneous interaction between particles regardless of distance, could be a method for FTL communication. He suggests that detecting rapid spin changes in particles could indicate artificial manipulation by an alien civilization.

Editor's Note

This note clarifies that the opinions expressed in the guest editorial are those of the author and directs readers to the 'Ask Dr. SETI' column for a different perspective on FTL communication.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming SETI League events and participation confirmations, including conferences, colloquiums, and ham radio events, spanning from September 1999 to September 2000.

Editorial Response and Counter-Responses: Microprobes Won't Survive Interstellar Travel

Mario Zadnik argues that small 'microprobes' are unlikely to survive interstellar travel due to the damaging effects of cosmic ray fluxes and energies. He cites a reference by Reedy, Arnold, and Lal (1983) detailing the energies and penetration depths of cosmic rays. Zadnik calculates that a probe traveling for millions of years would encounter a vast number of high-energy cosmic rays, causing significant damage.

Prof. Davies Replies:

Professor Paul Davies acknowledges the legitimate problem of cosmic ray damage but suggests that nanotechnology might enable repair operations, similar to how bacteria have repair mechanisms for radiation damage.

Cosmic Rays? No Problem!

Allen Tough counters the concerns about cosmic rays, arguing that no other sources (NASA, nanotechnology literature, National Space Society) seem worried. He believes that advanced civilizations would likely possess nanotechnology capable of self-repair. He also suggests that probes might not need to survive for millions of years if traveling only a few hundred light years, and that existing satellites and probes provide some practical test data.

Members In The News

This section highlights Dr. Clifford Pickover, a SETI League member who has published three new books: 'The Science of Aliens,' 'Time: A Traveler's Guide,' and 'Strange Brains and Genius: The Secret Lives of Eccentric Scientists and Madmen.'

Software Page: What's A Grid Square?

This section explains the six-character grid square system used by The SETI League to uniquely identify participating stations geographically. It details the Maidenhead Locator system, which uses letters and numbers to denote latitude and longitude, and provides a URL for more information and downloadable software.

OS Grid Reference Method

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, SETI League's regional coordinator for Wales, describes the Ordnance Survey grid reference system used in the UK. This system uses two letters followed by six digits to identify locations with high precision, and he explains how to use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate distances between points.

SETI@home Launched

This brief announcement reports the launch of SETI@home by the University of California, Berkeley, a distributed data processing project that uses personal computers to analyze Arecibo SETI data. The SETI League has formed its own SETI@home Team.

Hardware Page: How Do You Know Where You're Pointing?

Malcolm Mallette discusses the importance of accurate radiotelescope pointing for SETI research. He describes various methods used to achieve accurate pointing, including angle finders, potentiometers, and digital levels, and explains how to determine and apply offsets for elevation and azimuth.

Cooling Radio Astronomy Preamplifiers

Dr. Thomas A. Clark explains the necessity of cooling radio astronomy preamplifiers to cryogenic temperatures (around 20K) to reduce noise and improve performance. He details the use of Joule-Thompson refrigerators and suggests using dry ice as a simple, effective cooling method for amateur radio astronomers.

Ask Dr. SETI®

Optical Magnification vs. Radio Gain:

A reader asks if radio telescopes can magnify signals like optical telescopes. Dr. SETI explains that both work on similar principles of gain, but radio telescopes require vastly larger mirrors due to the longer wavelengths. He provides calculations comparing a Celestron optical telescope to the Arecibo radio telescope, concluding they are roughly equivalent in performance for their intended applications.

Faster-Than-Light (FTL) Travel and Communication:

In response to a question about FTL travel, Dr. SETI uses an analogy from Isaac Asimov to explain that FTL travel violates fundamental laws of nature, similar to believing the world is flat. He distinguishes between technological limitations (like the sound barrier) and fundamental physical laws (like the light barrier). While FTL travel is deemed unrealistic, he acknowledges that some civilizations might have undetectable technologies. He concludes that focusing on radio and optical SETI remains a sensible approach, as many civilizations may still use these methods, and SETI requires patience.

SearchLites Volume 5, Number 4 Autumn 1999 (Page 8)

This page contains administrative information for The SETI League, including contact details, copyright notice, and a form for accepting credit card payments. It also lists membership options and premium items 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 practicalities and possibilities of SETI research, including technological challenges (cosmic rays, pointing accuracy, cooling), theoretical communication methods (quantum entanglement, FTL), and the role of amateur astronomers. The editorial stance, particularly in the 'Ask Dr. SETI' column, emphasizes a fact-based approach, distinguishing between scientific laws and technological limitations, and advocating for patience and persistence in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.