SearchLites - Vol 06 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 6 No. 2
Date: Spring 2000
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Description: This issue of SearchLites, the quarterly journal of The SETI League, Inc., explores various facets of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), focusing on expanding search strategies, technological advancements, data analysis, and the philosophical underpinnings of the field.

Seven Reasons for Widening the Search by Allen Tough

Allen Tough argues that the SETI field, after 40 years of relying primarily on radio telescopes, should actively consider a wider array of promising options. He presents seven reasons for this shift:

1. History of Discovery: Scientific breakthroughs often arise from new, unorthodox strategies.
2. Profound Unknown: Extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) is likely to be profoundly alien and unlike human expectations, necessitating a humble and diverse approach.
3. Multiple Detections: The galaxy may host several civilizations, increasing the likelihood of multiple detections over time through various methods.
4. Reinvigoration: Fresh ideas, bold conceptualization, and diverse approaches can maintain intellectual excitement in the field.
5. Technological Advances: Current decisions should reflect modern science and technology, including computer science, AI, robotics, and lasers, which differ significantly from 40 years ago.
6. Lack of Evidence: The absence of confirmed ETI evidence to date underscores the need to expand search strategies.
7. Avoiding UFO Confusion: The fear of being associated with the UFO field should not lead to unduly restricting scientific strategies. SETI's commitment to skepticism, verification, peer review, and the scientific method differentiates it from the UFO field.

Tough concludes that a wide array of strategies is more likely to lead to success in detecting the unknown and advanced ETI.

Introducing New Volunteers

This section introduces two new volunteer coordinators:

• Yusrizam Bin Sharifuddin: The new Volunteer Coordinator for Malaysia, born in Kuala Lumpur in 1980. He has a strong interest in history, math, politics, science fiction, and astronomy, and has been a member of The SETI League since February 1999. He plans to introduce SETI League to Malaysians and eventually build his own Project Argus station.
• Robert J. (R.J.) Fear: The Volunteer Coordinator for the Southwest US, born in Indiana in 1959. With a background in electrical engineering and a former career as a professional musician, R.J. now maintains and operates a multipurpose Radio Telescope and aims for a career in radio astronomy, with sights set on the MMA Project of the NRAO.

SETI League Plans Next-Generation Telescope: Array2k

The SETI League, Inc. is designing Array2k, a new radio telescope to be located in Northern New Jersey. This project aims to create an instrument with over 2000 square feet of collecting area, equivalent to a 50-foot dish but at a lower cost. Array2k will combine sixteen standard satellite TV antennas, building on The SETI League's prior success with Project Argus. The design will support individual member efforts, serve as a detection device for confirming observations, and be used for direct astronomical research. It also aims to develop technologies for future large-scale arrays.

Hardly a Waste of Time by Philip J. Hughes

Philip J. Hughes reflects on his lifelong journey of diverse interests, initially perceived as a lack of focus by a university professor. His interests spanned math, astronomy, geology, biology, and the philosophy of science. He recounts how a counselor helped him realize his interests were centered around the "narrative history of the world and my place in it." Hughes, now retired, describes himself as an "armchair astronomer" and SETI hobbyist, running SETI@home on his computers. He discusses the importance of discourse for intellectual growth and how the question "Are we alone?" is central to his interest in SETI, encompassing art, myth, religion, and philosophy.

Should SETI Probe for Probes? by Scot Stride

Scot Stride, writing from JPL, argues for the merit of searching for extraterrestrial interstellar probes (SETV). He contends that just as Optical SETI (OSETI) leveraged emergent technologies, a similar approach can be applied to searching for probes. Stride dismisses arguments against probe searches based on the cost and speed of interstellar travel, suggesting that advanced civilizations might prefer probes over sending baryons. He highlights that the scientific community is not opposed and affordable technologies exist to organize a research project for this purpose. SETV complements existing SETI efforts by focusing on near-Earth and solar system targets, adding bandwidth and improving the odds of success. He concludes that proving the existence of even one probe would answer the question "Are we Alone?"

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming SETI-related events and conferences from March 2000 to January 2001, including Contact 2000, SETI League regional meetings, astronomy days, VHF conferences, and international astronomical assemblies.

Software Page: Using the GoldWave Shareware Program for Collection, Storage, and Analysis of SETI Data by Robert A. Lodder

Robert A. Lodder discusses the challenges of data storage and analysis for SETI stations and introduces GoldWave, a shareware digital audio editor for Windows. He explains its features, including real-time oscilloscopes, large file editing, and support for various sound formats. Lodder highlights GoldWave's excellent WAV file compression routines, particularly the MSN Audio 8 kHz mono 8200 baud compression, which requires significantly less disk space (3.51 MB per hour) than uncompressed data (60-70 MB per hour) while still preserving the ability to detect small signals. He notes that pattern recognition algorithms, such as subcluster detection, can be applied directly to compressed data, reducing analysis time and requirements. The software is available for $55 Canadian and can be tried before purchase.

Book Review: Are We Alone? Philosophical Implications of the Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life by Paul Davies

Reviewed by Alex Antonites, this section discusses Paul Davies' 1995 book. Davies argues that SETI challenges the notion of a dying universe, influenced by thermodynamics. He traces the history of SETI from ancient philosophers like Lucretius and Epicurus to modern scientific advancements. Davies posits that life is a probable outcome of chemistry and physics, given the right conditions, and that the discovery of extraterrestrial life, even in meteorites, would be immensely significant. The review highlights Davies' use of chaos/complexity theory and spontaneous self-organization as key concepts, contrasting with classical-causal determinism. He argues that evolution is not purely random but involves biological convergence and physical-chemical laws. Davies also explores the implications of detecting an alien signal and discusses the relationship between science and religion. The book is recommended for its stimulation of discussion and its optimistic approach to SETI, particularly in contrast to thinkers like Dawkins and Gould.

SearchLites Volume 6, Number 2 -- Spring 2000 (Continued)

This section continues the discussion from the book review, delving deeper into Davies' philosophical arguments. Davies examines three philosophical positions on the origin of life: miracles, improbable accident, and inevitable outcome via laws of physics and chemistry, supporting the latter with chaos/complexity theory. He outlines three philosophical pillars supporting SETI scientists: uniformity of nature, plenitude, and the Copernican principle of mediocrity. Davies argues against the idea that life is a rare, improbable accident, favoring the concept of self-organization leading to widespread life. He discusses the implications of detecting an alien signal, suggesting it would support the view that humans are not the pinnacle of evolution and would discredit the random accident hypothesis. The review also touches upon Davies' examination of arguments against SETI, including the anthropic principle, Fermi's paradox, and the Neo-Darwinian argument of contingency. Davies critiques the idea of a purely random evolution, emphasizing biological convergence and the role of physical-chemical laws. The book review concludes by recommending the book for its philosophical depth and its contribution to the SETI discourse.

Back Cover Information

The back cover provides contact information for The SETI League, Inc., including its address, phone numbers, email, and website. It also includes a form for accepting credit card payments for membership dues and contributions. A list of membership levels and their associated premiums (T-shirts, mouse pads, buttons, etc.) is provided, along with pricing for US and other international addresses. The newsletter is noted as being printed in the USA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the expansion and diversification of SETI search strategies, moving beyond traditional radio methods to include optical SETI and the search for extraterrestrial probes. There is a strong emphasis on the scientific methodology underpinning SETI, differentiating it from the UFO phenomenon. Technological advancements and software solutions for data analysis are presented as crucial tools. Philosophically, the issue explores the implications of SETI for our understanding of life, consciousness, and humanity's place in the universe, with a particular focus on the concept of self-organization as a driver for the emergence of life. The editorial stance is one of proactive scientific inquiry, advocating for a broad, evidence-based approach to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and encouraging active participation from its members.