SearchLites - Vol 11 No 1

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Vol. 11, No. 1, Winter 2005, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. It is a membership-supported, non-profit, educational, and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The ISSN is 1096-5599.

When Will We Achieve Contact?

This lead article by H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., Executive Director of The SETI League, Inc., critically examines Seth Shostak's prediction of SETI success within the next two decades. Shuch argues that while projecting technological development is reasonable, predicting contact is not, as it depends on factors beyond human control. He questions the assumption that extraterrestrial civilizations will use electromagnetic communication, proposing a 'Rare Photon Hypothesis' where such communication might be an exception. Shuch also discusses the SETI Institute's fundraising efforts for the Allen Telescope Array, suggesting that predictions of contact are partly driven by the need to attract investors. He contrasts this with a focus on advancing human knowledge through technological development, which he sees as a more reliable investment.

Book Reviews

SETI 2020: A Roadmap for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Reviewed by David Ocame, this book, produced for the SETI Institute, outlines specific strategies for future SETI research, including the Allen Telescope Array and an Omni-directional SETI System (OSS). Ocame notes the book's depth in mathematical treatments but wishes for more detail on hardware and software aspects. He highlights the ambitiousness of the projects and the reliance on Moore's Law, cautioning about its eventual limits. The reviewer suggests the book is for intermediate to advanced readers and is essential for serious SETI researchers.

Biocosm: The New Science of Evolution

Reviewed by David Ocame, this book by James N. Gardner expands on the Gaia theory, proposing that intelligent life is an architect of the universe and that life will eventually permeate the cosmos. Gardner suggests that the universe is evolving towards becoming alive and that information encoded in physical constants makes it conducive to life. The reviewer finds the book thought-provoking and a significant addition to astrobiology collections.

Journalistic Exuberance

In this article, H. Paul Shuch discusses a New Scientist headline proclaiming a 'Mysterious Signals from 1000 Light Years Away!' from the SETI@home experiment. Shuch clarifies that the actual story was more prosaic, describing an enigma that could be a natural phenomenon or an artifact. He criticizes the headline for sensationalizing the findings, attributing it to a journalistic tendency to prioritize a good story over facts, referencing 'Forward's Law'. Shuch includes a quote from SETI@home's Dan Werthimer, who states that none of their candidates are particularly exciting and that the press exaggerated the findings.

Guest Editorial: A Bold Step into the Bank Vault

H. Paul Shuch, speaking as a private SETIzen, expresses concern over the SETI Institute's fundraising goal of $62 million, which he finds excessive and comparable to NASA's former SETI budget. He argues that privatized SETI should be more efficient than government-funded efforts but questions the Institute's broad scope, which includes astrobiology and other research beyond core SETI. Shuch believes the Institute should refocus on observational SETI, particularly microwave SETI, which is currently being neglected. He contrasts this with The SETI League's efforts to maintain the all-sky survey on a smaller budget and suggests that the Institute's broad approach creates public perception issues for all SETI organizations.

Guest Editorial: Active SETI Is Not Scientific Research

Michael Michaud, a member of the SETI Permanent Study Group, argues that 'Active SETI'—transmitting signals to potential alien civilizations without international consultation—is not scientific research but a policy issue. He warns of the potential dangers of provoking unknown extraterrestrial civilizations, citing concerns from prominent scientists about the risks of contact. Michaud proposes a standard of not transmitting signals more powerful than Earth's radio leakage without international consultation and suggests seeking endorsement from the International Astronomical Union for Active SETI proposals.

Seeking Alien Dialog through an Accessible Web Presence

This article describes the overhauled website of 'Invitation to ETI,' a group of scientists and artists aiming to stimulate dialogue with extraterrestrial civilizations. Dr. H. Paul Shuch, who consulted on the web design, explains the effort to make the website accessible to alien web surfers, adhering to Bobby standards and W3C guidelines. The project aims to attract extraterrestrials who might be monitoring Earth's internet through various means, including physical presence or telecommunications.

Ask Dr. SETI: How Much Sky Noise?

This Q&A addresses a reader's question about background noise levels for antennas. Dr. SETI explains that while 290 Kelvin is relevant for terrestrial communications, radio astronomy uses antennas pointed at the RF-cold sky, resulting in lower noise levels. The actual sky temperature varies, with the cosmic background radiation at 2.7 Kelvin and hotter spots emitting tens of Kelvin. The system's total noise is also affected by sidelobes and over-illumination.

SETI League 2005 Budget (Proposed)

The proposed budget for The SETI League for 2005 projects revenues primarily from membership dues, totaling $17,620. Expenses are estimated at $17,142, covering education, management, and fundraising. This leaves a projected excess of $478 for the year, increasing the net assets from $3,000 to $3,478.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI-related information, including dates, locations, and featured speakers or topics, spanning from February 2005 to October 2007.

Saving an Endangered Telescope

Dr. Bob Lash, President of the Bracewell Observatory Association, details efforts to save a historic radio telescope at Stanford University from demolition. The association, comprising astronomy enthusiasts, has secured a delay and is working on a proposal to rescue and operate the observatory for academic and public use. They have raised $20,000 to stop the demolition and are seeking further support for restoration and educational programs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the practicalities and predictions of SETI, the scientific methodology, and the funding of SETI research. There's a clear distinction drawn between scientific research and other endeavors, with a strong emphasis on the importance of rigorous scientific process. The SETI League, through its publications and editorials, advocates for a focused approach to SETI, emphasizing observational SETI and cautioning against overly ambitious or speculative projects. The issue also highlights the challenges of public perception and the need for clear communication regarding SETI efforts. The editorial stance, particularly from H. Paul Shuch and Michael Michaud, leans towards caution, scientific rigor, and a focused mission for SETI organizations, while acknowledging the value of broader scientific exploration in related fields.