SearchLites - Vol 11 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Vol. 11 No. 3, Summer 2005, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on the organization's activities, awards, and ongoing research, with a cover story about seeking an engineering intern.

SETI League Seeks Engineering Intern

The SETI League, Inc. is looking for a full or part-time intern to work on a cutting-edge SETI project at its Northern New Jersey headquarters. This project utilizes a significant hardware donation, including high-speed A/D converters, digital receivers, and Quad-TI6701 floating point DSP boards, to create a microwave receiver capable of searching millions of channels for extraterrestrial signals. The role requires software development to unify the hardware and process data. The position offers minimal financial reward but significant intellectual challenge and practical experience in electronics, DSP, and advanced math. Interested parties are invited to contact SETI League president Richard Factor via email.

Awards Announcements

California Amateur Receives SETI Technical Award

On April 17, 2005, The SETI League presented the Giordano Bruno Memorial Award for 2005 to James Brown of Del Mar, CA. Brown, known by his amateur radio callsign W6KYP, was honored for his significant technical contributions to amateur SETI science. He was one of the first amateurs to build a radio telescope dedicated to SETI and has developed extensive software, which he shares on the seti.net website. The award is named in memory of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake for postulating the multiplicity of inhabited worlds. Past recipients include prominent figures in SETI research.

SETI League Announces 2005 Best Ideas Awards

On March 19, 2005, The SETI League's journal 'Contact In Context' recognized three individuals for major contributions to SETI literature: Jim Funaro and Joel Hagen, conference organizers, and science author Gerald D. Nordley. The 'Best Ideas Awards' were expanded to honor the entire SETI League website and the annual CONTACT conference, which has been held since 1983.

SETI League Presents Annual Service Award

On March 17, 2005, Professor Robert Lodder of the University of Kentucky received the fourth annual Orville N. Greene Service Award. Lodder, a long-time SETI League member, has served as a Regional Coordinator, a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and is the founding editor-in-chief of 'Contact In Context'. He has also been instrumental in developing Project Argus and Optical SETI initiatives.

An Open Letter to Would-Be Transmitters

By David Brin, an astronomer and author, this letter addresses individuals considering 'active SETI' or beaming messages into interstellar space. Brin, a member of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Permanent Study Group, informs readers about the existence of a protocol and the ongoing debate within the subcommittee regarding a moratorium on such transmissions. He emphasizes the need for discussion and consideration of the implications before committing Earth to a potentially irreversible course of action.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings related to SETI and astronomy, including Balticon 39, Rochester Hamfest, Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers conferences, Universus 2005, Central States VHF Conferences, Interaction World Science Fiction Convention, and the International Astronautical Congress in various locations worldwide. It also includes dates for the SETI League's annual Ham Radio QSO Party and Annual Meeting.

Minutes of the Eleventh Annual Membership Meeting

The meeting was convened on April 17, 2005, at The College of New Jersey. Key points include:

• Quorum: Eight SETI League members were present, satisfying the bylaw requirement.
• 2004 Treasurer's Report: Showed revenues of $94,931 and expenses of $124,206, resulting in a deficit of $29,275. Account balances decreased from $36,441 at the end of 2003 to $7,166 at the end of 2004.
• 2005 Budget: Projected revenues of $13,122 with projected expenses of $17,241, leading to a projected deficit of $4,157.
• IRS Audit: The organization is undergoing an IRS audit for fiscal year 2003.
• Program Service Accomplishments (2004):
• Science Programs: Coordinated 127 Project Argus radio telescopes, logging 100,000 hours of observations; operated the W2ETI Moonbounce Beacon; contributed to the SETI Permanent Study Group; and supported SETI@home.
• Technology Programs: Designed an analog power combiner for the Very Small Array; provided consultation for the Montecorvino SETI Telescope Array; coordinated technical email lists; and inducted members into the Extra-Terrestrial Century Club.
• Public Education Programs: Conducted EuroSETI04 and SETICon04 symposia; distributed publications like "Tune In The Universe!"; and delivered public lectures.
• Media and Outreach Programs: Published four issues of SearchLites; distributed press releases and editorials; and updated the SETI League website.
• Committee Reports: Awards Committee reported on SETI SuperStar Awards; Legal Services Committee renewed trade/service marks; Internet Services Committee had no major changes; EME Committee reported on amplifier issues; Very Small Array Committee reported slow progress due to funding.
• Old Business: None.
• New Business: The 800 phone number (800-TAU-SETI) was retained. Discussions were held regarding the format of future SETICon events, with a decision to return to a full conference format for 2006.
• Good and Welfare: The Bruno award was presented to James Brown.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1127 hours EDT on April 17, 2005. The Board of Trustees meeting followed, electing officers: Richard Factor (President), A. Heather Wood (Secretary/Treasurer), and H. Paul Shuch (Executive Director).

Remembering: Prof. Philip Morrison

This tribute by H. Paul Shuch memorializes Professor Philip Morrison, co-author of the first scientific paper on SETI, who passed away on April 22, 2005, at the age of 89. Morrison was a distinguished theoretical astrophysicist, a pioneer in SETI, and an influential science educator. He worked on the Manhattan Project, became a pacifist, and co-founded the Federation of American Scientists. His 1959 paper "Searching for Interstellar Communications" in Nature was seminal. Morrison inspired many in the field, including the founders of The SETI League. The author shares personal anecdotes, highlighting Morrison's modesty and intellectual generosity, including an instance where Morrison did not reveal it was his 80th birthday when the author visited.

Ask Dr. SETI: Why Water-Based Life?

A student from Toronto asks why SETI research focuses exclusively on water-based life. Dr. SETI responds with three answers:

1. Short Answer: We know water-based life is possible because we are it. Other forms are speculative.
2. Long Answer: Water possesses five desirable characteristics for a life-sustaining solvent: it remains liquid over a wide temperature range, is polar, has high surface tension, is less dense as ice than liquid, and its components (hydrogen and oxygen) are abundant.
3. Flippant Answer: We know how to look for life as we know it (water-based). Looking for life as we don't know it is currently impossible.

The response also notes that these points apply to organic life, and inorganic or machine lifeforms are a different consideration.

Arecibo's Range

A student asks about the range of the Arecibo Telescope in light years or kilometers. Dr. SETI explains that the range depends on the signal strength. For powerful emitters like quasars, it can receive signals from billions of light years away. For weaker emitters, the range is hundreds to thousands of light years. The theoretical communication range within the Milky Way is estimated at 10,000 LY, though Frank Drake calculated a higher figure. The telescope's ability to detect signals has diminished over time, as evidenced by the inability to detect the Pioneer 10 spacecraft's beacon.

Annual Renewal Information

This section provides information for renewing SETI League memberships for the calendar year. It lists various membership categories and their annual costs, as well as premiums available for purchase, such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, technical manuals, and proceedings from conferences. Payment options include checks and credit cards.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SETI League, Inc. is presented as a dedicated, grassroots, nonprofit organization focused on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The newsletter emphasizes volunteerism, scientific rigor, and public education. The editorial stance supports the scientific pursuit of SETI while also engaging in discussions about the implications of active SETI and the nature of life in the universe. The organization appears to be financially challenged, as indicated by the deficit reported in the treasurer's report, but remains committed to its mission.