SearchLites - Vol 07 No 1

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2001, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc., marking its 25th issue. The magazine covers a range of topics related to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), including astrobiology, book reviews, SETI projects, and organizational updates.

E. T., Call Springer-Verlag!

This lead article by Athena Andreadis discusses the ongoing debate in astrobiology, contrasting the mediocrity principle (life is common) with the anthropic principle (life, especially intelligent life, is rare). The author reviews two books: 'Here Be Dragons' by David Koerner and Simon LeVay, and 'Rare Earth' by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee. While 'Here Be Dragons' is presented as a more neutral overview, 'Rare Earth' is critiqued for its strong adherence to the anthropic principle and for factual errors. The article emphasizes that current theories are based on a single sample (Earth) and that theorizing cannot substitute for observation and experimentation. It concludes with a quote from Hamlet about the vastness of possibilities.

Book Review: After Contact

Reviewed by Melvin A. Lewis, this article discusses Dr. Albert A. Harrison's book 'After Contact'. The book, written by a SETI League member and psychology professor, outlines what to expect and how to react in the minutes, hours, days, and years following the reception of an extraterrestrial signal. It details anticipated reactions from the scientific community, government, clergy, and the public, and covers people's views on the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. A chapter is dedicated to microwave observation in SETI, including defining the search space and recognizing a signal. Harrison's work is described as nonsensational, approaching the topic from anthropological, political science, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The review notes that the book is not a technical manual but offers insight into cultural issues, communication, intelligence, perception, and consciousness. It also addresses false alarms, UFOs, and abductions. The reviewer highlights Harrison's speculation on the human capacity to discern an advanced message and the possibility of ETs living at different time rates. The book is recommended as an excellent and optimistic work for SETI enthusiasts, with extensive references.

First Announcement and Call for Papers: SETI League Technical Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting

This section announces the SETI League's Seventh Annual Membership Meeting on April 29, 2001, preceded by a one-day SETI League Technical Symposium on April 28, 2001. Both events will be held at The College of New Jersey in Trenton, NJ. A call for papers is issued for the symposium, soliciting presentations on SETI-related hardware, software, search strategies, and philosophy. Abstracts are due by January 1, 2001, with manuscripts due by March 1, 2001. Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting, and agenda items can be submitted until March 1, 2001.

Bruno Nominations Now Due

This announcement calls for nominations for the 2001 Giordano Bruno Memorial Award, The SETI League's highest honor. The award recognizes significant contributions to SETI. Nominations are due by January 1, 2001, and the winner will be announced at the Seventh Annual Membership Meeting. Past recipients are listed from 1996 to 2000.

What a Difference a Decade Makes

By H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., Executive Director, this article reflects on the changes in SETI over the past decade, referencing the book 'Are We Alone In The Cosmos?' (1999), the revised edition of 'First Contact' (1990). Shuch recalls NASA's significant SETI efforts in the early 1990s, including the High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS), which were later defunded by Congress. The article highlights that SETI, despite political setbacks, has continued through the efforts of organizations like The SETI League and through the publication of books that foster interest and provide resources for amateur astronomers. The book 'Are We Alone' is described as a collection of essays and articles covering cosmology, the Drake Equation, the Fermi Paradox, and new topics like the privatization of SETI, Optical SETI, Project Phoenix, and the SETI@home experiment. The article notes that the original edition of 'First Contact' inspired the formation of The SETI League, and that the updated edition references The SETI League website for amateur SETI equipment information.

SETI League Leader Joins International Science Committee

This news item reports that H. Paul Shuch, executive director of The SETI League, Inc., has been appointed to the SETI Post-Detection Subcommittee of the International Academy of Astronautics. Under Shuch's leadership, The SETI League's 1,200 members in sixty countries search for evidence of intelligent life. The article quotes Prof. Ray Norris, chairman of the Subcommittee, emphasizing the value of amateur contributions to SETI. Shuch's background as a lifelong amateur radio operator and microwave experimenter is mentioned, along with his role in heading The SETI League since its inception in 1994. The article also touches upon the privatization of SETI research following the termination of NASA's SETI funding in 1993.

Guest Editorial: E.T. or Alien?

This guest editorial by David Darling, Ph.D., explores the potential nature of extraterrestrial intelligence. Darling contrasts the common science fiction portrayals of aliens (from friendly to hostile) with the possibility of their actual nature. He cites a Marist Institute poll suggesting 86% of Americans believe alien life will be friendly, and notes similar optimism from figures like Frank Drake, Philip Morrison, and Carl Sagan. Arguments for alien beneficence are based on the idea that advanced civilizations would have overcome global crises. Conversely, pessimistic views suggest that Darwinian principles of 'survival of the fittest' would make any advanced species potentially dangerous. Darling concludes that, in the absence of data, the most reasonable assumption is that both good and evil will exist in any intelligent extraterrestrial race, and that the crucial question is not whether they are capable of aggression, but whether they have learned to override their basic instincts. He also raises the point of individual variation within a species, questioning whether the first encountered alien would be a 'Hitler or a Gandhi'.

One Hundred Up, 4900 To Go!

This update on Project Argus reports that The SETI League's all-sky survey, launched in April 1996, has grown to one hundred operational stations with hundreds more under construction. The project aims for 5,000 stations. The article highlights the success in building and operating radio telescopes affordably and professionally, and in interpreting data rigorously. It mentions a paper presented by Dr. Shuch at the 51st International Astronautical Congress, detailing the design criteria, sensitivity, signal verification, and global participation challenges of Project Argus. Candidate signals are discussed, though none passed rigorous tests for intelligent origin. The article projects the evolutionary nature of amateur radio telescopes and their power in coordinated global searches.

SETI League Receives Moonbounce Grant

This news item announces that The SETI League has received a Small Equipment Grant from the American Astronomical Society to construct a transmitter for a moonbounce project. This project, titled 'A Lunar Reflective Test Beacon for Radio Astronomy and SETI,' aims to provide a stable reference signal for calibrating receiving systems for both amateur and professional radio astronomers. The SETI League's 1,200 members have collectively assembled numerous small radio telescopes. The grant application was supported by letters from the Planetary Society, the SETI Institute, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Dr. Shuch anticipates the project will be operational in early 2001.

Extracom Not Representative of Brazilian SETI Community

This article by Mauro J. Cavalcanti and Claudio Brasil addresses a Brazilian group called 'Extracom' and their 'Active SETI' effort. The authors, who are involved in SETI research in Brazil and are affiliated with The SETI League, state that 'Extracom' does not represent the full Brazilian SETI community and they do not endorse its positions. They disagree with 'Extracom's' view that current SETI research is a 'selfish position and a waste of precious time,' and they honor the pioneering efforts of Dr. Frank Drake. Cavalcanti and Brasil advocate for a cooperative, professional, and scientifically well-founded approach to SETI, emphasizing that science is a worldwide collective enterprise. They also express concerns about 'active contact' initiatives, referencing the IAA SETI committee's decision process that communication with extraterrestrial intelligence should only occur after appropriate international consultations and on behalf of all humankind.

Software Corner: SETISEARCH

This section introduces SETISEARCH, an open-source, real-time SETI program for Linux, developed by Jenny Bailey. The program is designed to be modular and reusable, with plans for a separate display function for remote telescopes. Bailey discusses the choice of C++ and the use of g++ for its pedantic warning messages. The intended audience is Linux enthusiasts, with the goal of making SETISEARCH a user-friendly Linux package. The article outlines the program's functionality in phases, including basic operations like signal processing, target position calculation, and logging of 'hits,' as well as more advanced features like frequency scanning and customizable responses. The design details the audio input from the /dev/dsp device and the use of multithreading to handle data processing. The normalizing process to flatten receiver response and improve peak detection is also explained. Further information and downloadable code are available online.

Hardware Corner: SETI Range Revisited

Malcolm C. Mallette discusses the SETI range of radio telescopes, emphasizing the need to make assumptions about transmitter power and dish size of potential ETI systems. He references his previous article on 'Small Parabolic Dish Antennas and SETI' and a more recent article, 'Radio Telescopes, A Simple Method of Comparing Their Performance and Determining Their SETI Range.' Mallette explains that determining the SETI range involves calculating the flux of the smallest object a telescope can observe. He addresses a critical comment regarding the minimum detectable flux calculation, defending his methodology. The article aims to help those considering using radio telescopes for SETI and suggests considering larger dishes if initial equipment is inadequate.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI-related information. It encourages SETI League members to check the SETI League website for details and to submit information about other events. The listed events span from January 2001 to October 2003, including various science fiction conventions, SETI conferences, and amateur radio events across the United States and internationally.

Keeping Score

This section provides statistics on The SETI League's membership, including the total number of members, Project Argus stations, and regional coordinators. It also lists the number of countries represented by the membership.

Pleased to Accept Credit Cards

This section encourages members to pay dues and contributions using Visa or MasterCard, providing a form for credit card details. It also lists membership premiums available for purchase, such as T-shirts, mouse pads, pocket protectors, buttons, technical manuals, and gift sets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SearchLites revolve around the scientific and philosophical aspects of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of rigorous scientific methodology, the role of amateur astronomers in SETI, and the need for collaboration and professional approaches. The SETI League's stance is clearly in favor of scientific SETI, advocating for its privatization and continued research, while cautioning against premature or uncoordinated 'active contact' initiatives. The newsletter also highlights the practical aspects of SETI, such as equipment and software, and promotes membership and support for The SETI League's endeavors. The editorial stance consistently supports a well-founded, evidence-based approach to SETI, distinguishing it from speculative or sensationalized accounts.