SearchLites - Vol 13 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 13 No. 2
Date: Spring 2007
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1096-5599

This issue of SearchLites, the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc., focuses on the organization's history, ongoing research, and future directions. It features articles on the anniversary of The SETI League, astrobiology, SETI strategies, and technical aspects of radio astronomy.

"Twelve Years and Counting" by H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus

This personal reflection marks over a dozen years since the founding of The SETI League. H. Paul Shuch recounts a casual December 1994 phone call with Richard Factor that led to the establishment of the organization. Shuch, then a college professor, was invited by Factor to head up a new SETI nonprofit. The article details Shuch's decision to take a leave of absence, raise funding, and eventually resign his professorship to lead The SETI League. He notes that the organization, now with approximately 1500 members in 65 countries across seven continents, survives due to member support. The piece concludes with a forward-looking question about the League's next dozen years.

Annual Meeting Notice

This section announces the Thirteenth Annual Membership Meeting of The SETI League, Inc., scheduled for 1 PM Eastern time on Sunday, April 29, 2007, at the SETI League Headquarters in Little Ferry, NJ. Directions to the office are provided, along with recommendations for out-of-town members flying into Newark International Airport (EWR) or using Teterboro Airport for general aviation. A preliminary agenda is included, featuring standard meeting items like Call to Order, Minutes, Reports, Old and New Business, and Good and Welfare. Members are encouraged to submit agenda items by April 1, 2007. The annual Board of Trustees Meeting will follow.

SARA Call for Papers

This announcement solicits papers for the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) 2007 Annual Meeting and Technical Conference, to be held July 13, 2007, at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV. H. Paul Shuch, also serving as SARA vice president, is coordinating the event. Interested individuals are asked to submit a letter of intent with a proposed title and abstract by March 1, 2007. A formal Proceedings will be published, with peer-reviewed manuscripts due by April 1, 2007. The article emphasizes the importance of SETI scientists determining if humankind is alone and notes that since NASA's SETI funding was terminated in 1993, research has been privatized.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI and amateur radio enthusiasts. It includes dates, locations, and brief descriptions for events such as the SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party, Southeastern VHF Conference, Hamvention, Rochester Hamfest, SARA Conference, World Science Fiction Convention, International Astronautical Congress, Microwave Update, AMSAT Space Symposium, and Philcon, spanning from April 2007 to October 2009.

"Don't Expect an Alien Sitcom" by Paul Gilster

This article explores the challenges of detecting extraterrestrial intelligence through television signals. SETI scientist Seth Shostak's thoughts are discussed, highlighting that while Earth has been broadcasting TV signals, these transmissions are unlikely to be received at great distances due to their low power density. Even with powerful instruments like the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR), detecting such signals from civilizations 55 light-years away is problematic. The author concludes that while this doesn't disqualify SETI from studying these frequencies, any interesting signals found are unlikely to be akin to an "extraterrestrial sitcom." The article originally appeared on Centauri Dreams.

Guest Editorial: "At what point would you abandon the search?" by Seth Shostak

Seth Shostak addresses the common question of when to abandon the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, comparing SETI's duration to historical voyages of discovery. He argues that these historical analogies are false due to the vastly larger scale of the universe and the cryptic nature of potential signals. Shostak suggests that SETI is in its early stages and is a multigenerational endeavor. He acknowledges that if new space-based telescopes fail to find Earth-like planets or life, or if SETI's basic assumptions about communication methods are proven wrong (e.g., aliens using quantum mechanics), it would challenge the search. However, he maintains that the Drake Equation factors are becoming more encouraging, and the universe appears disposed to house life. Shostak believes that if SETI hasn't yielded results by the second half of the century, the search strategy should be reconsidered rather than concluding failure. He rejects the idea of abandoning the search, viewing it as contrary to the spirit of exploration and an "egregious self-adulation" to assume humanity is the best the cosmos has to offer. This editorial first appeared on Space.com.

Editorial: "What Hath God Wrought?" by H. Paul Shuch

In this editorial, H. Paul Shuch discusses the obsolescence of Morse Code, first demonstrated in 1844. He notes that while the International Telecommunications Union and the FCC have made Morse Code skills optional for licensing, it remains relevant to amateur radio operators, many of whom are SETI League members. Shuch argues that the reduction of barriers to entry into amateur radio could lead to more potential SETI League members. He concludes by thanking the ITU and FCC for opening doors to greater SETI participation, suggesting positive results unless extraterrestrial intelligence communicates solely in Morse Code.

SETI League Director Introduces New Astrobiology Course

This news item announces that Dr. H. Paul Shuch, as Visiting Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Lycoming College, has introduced a new undergraduate course titled "Life in the Universe." The course explores the origin, development, and distribution of life in the cosmos. It is a four-semester hour class with lecture and laboratory components, currently enrolled by 55 students. The article mentions the history of bioastronomy conferences and the recent adoption of the term "astrobiology." It also provides background on Lycoming College, a small liberal arts institution.

"Ask Dr. SETI: Do You Support Active SETI?"

In response to a reader's question about The SETI League's logo implicitly endorsing Active SETI, Dr. SETI clarifies that the animated logo depicts the direction of wave motion inward, representing reception, not transmission. While The SETI League's primary project is passive SETI, it is open to Active SETI experiments that follow internationally adopted protocols. The reader's question about the logo's static version and a scientist's initial reluctance to join until the logo was clarified is also mentioned.

"Ask Dr. SETI: Dish Mesh Spacing"

This Q&A addresses a reader's query about the impact of dish mesh spacing on parabolic reflector efficiency for radio telescopes. Dr. SETI explains that a solid surface reflects 100% of the signal, while a half-wavelength mesh spacing makes the surface 100% porous, reflecting nothing. Quarter-wave spacing results in 50% porosity, leading to a significant loss of signal and an increase in receiver noise temperature, creating a total signal-to-noise degradation of 9 dB. This is compared to reducing the reflector's diameter by a factor of three. The response recommends eighth-wave mesh as a reasonable compromise, causing only about a 1 dB degradation.

SARA Announces Keynote Speaker

This announcement introduces Dr. Andrew Clegg (W4JE) as the Keynote Speaker for SARA's annual technical conference. Dr. Clegg, a radio astronomer with interests in amateur radio, astronomy, and photography, will present on "Present and Future Radio Spectrum Trends: their impact on radio astronomy." The article details his academic and professional background, including his work at the Naval Research Laboratory, Comsearch, Cingular Wireless, and the National Science Foundation.

Membership and Renewal Information

The final pages provide details on renewing SETI League memberships, including various membership categories (Full, Supporting, Scholarship, Household, Life, Sustaining Life, Patron, Director, Benefactor) with their respective annual dues. It also lists "Order Your Membership Premiums," offering items like pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs of conference proceedings, technical manuals, and books for purchase. Payment options include Visa and MasterCard. The information also includes contact details for The SETI League, Inc.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing efforts and challenges of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). There is a strong emphasis on the role of amateur radio operators and membership support in advancing SETI research, as highlighted by The SETI League's anniversary and membership renewal information. The issue also touches upon the evolving scientific landscape with the introduction of astrobiology courses and discussions on the scientific and technological hurdles in detecting potential alien signals. The editorial stance, particularly in Seth Shostak's guest editorial, suggests a long-term commitment to SETI, viewing it as a multigenerational endeavor that should not be abandoned prematurely, even in the face of potential setbacks or evolving scientific understanding. The importance of scientific rigor, exploration, and avoiding premature conclusions about humanity's uniqueness in the cosmos are also evident.