SearchLites - Vol 13 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Vol. 13 No. 3, Summer 2007, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on the critical funding status of the Arecibo Radio Observatory, advancements in miniaturized space technology, and updates from The SETI League's activities and community.

Future Funding for the Arecibo Radio Observatory by Nickolaus Leggett, N3NL

This article, presented as a letter to the National Science Foundation (NSF), expresses strong concern over the recommendation to drop funding for the Arecibo Radio Observatory. The author argues that Arecibo's vast collection area enables crucial missions that would be lost if funding ceases. These missions include:

1. High-resolution and multi-spectral radar astronomy: Studying planets and other objects within the solar system.
2. Detailed SETI surveys: Including ongoing "piggyback" listening surveys.
3. Communications experiments: Such as Moon-bounce communications and monitoring emergency beacon frequencies.
4. Passive monitoring and radar examination: Of high-orbit and deep-space payloads for intelligence agencies.
5. Graduate and undergraduate research: In radio astronomy, atmospheric sciences, and communications.
6. Microwave power transmission experiments: Sending power from Earth to space payloads and receiving it via rectennas.
7. Active SETI transmission attempts: Under international control, sending signal packets to likely star categories.

The author emphasizes that these diverse missions can be scheduled and conducted effectively. The article concludes with a plea for the NSF to ensure this instrument remains in active service.

Shrinking the Tools by Paul Gilster

This article explores the growing importance of miniaturization in extending spacecraft missions, particularly for missions to the Kuiper Belt and beyond. It highlights a new imaging system developed by a team at the University of Rochester, which uses an analog-to-digital converter at each pixel. This system promises superior image capture at various wavelengths and significantly reduces power consumption. A key feature is the drastic reduction in hardware size, shrinking from a "crate" to a "chip no bigger than your thumb." The technology uses 50 times less power than industry bests, a critical advantage for deep-space missions where energy is precious.

The article also touches upon the provocative ideas of nanotechnology pioneer Robert Freitas, who speculates about space probes shrunk to the size of a sewing needle, capable of launching in the thousands and using nano-scale assemblers to build research stations on distant celestial bodies. While acknowledging that the Rochester sensor is far from this extreme, Gilster points to the dramatic changes in computing over recent decades as evidence of how potent miniaturization can be, extending mission capabilities by allowing more tools to be packed into a finite payload.

Guest Editorial: Where the Real DX Is by Paul Gilster

Paul Gilster reflects on his past as a shortwave listener (SWL) and his eventual shift towards "utility DXing" – listening for non-broadcast stations in remote locations. His interest evolved towards the ultimate "DX": receiving signals from the stars, leading him to SETI efforts. He recounts joining the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) but realizing his talents lay in writing rather than electronics. He notes SARA's continued activity and the broader establishment of the SETI interest within the organization.

The editorial mentions SARA's upcoming technical conference at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV, a site historically significant for SETI research, notably Frank Drake's early work. The conference covers a wide range of topics from gamma ray bursts to astro-chemistry.

Gilster then discusses Freeman Dyson's perspective on amateurs making significant contributions to science, citing examples like Milton Humason and Bernhardt Schmidt. Dyson's view is that modern technologies in computing, telecommunication, and optics empower amateurs to undertake research previously exclusive to professionals. Dyson himself is presented as an example of someone whose contributions have continued despite not adhering strictly to traditional academic paths.

The author concludes by expressing his surprise at the current "golden age" of amateur radio and related fields, noting the abundance of resources available through technology and commending the efforts of SARA and The SETI League in advancing the state of the art.

SETI League Presents Annual Awards

At its Annual Meeting on April 29, 2007, The SETI League honored two individuals for their contributions to SETI science and service. Dr. Robert Melville of New Jersey received the annual Giordano Bruno Memorial Award for constructing a fully operational Project Argus radio telescope at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station and conducting the first SETI observations from the "Bottom of the World." David Ocame of Connecticut received the annual Orville Greene Service Award for his exemplary volunteer service, including chairing The SETI League Awards Committee and operating a Project Argus station.

The meeting also included the adoption of the 2007 budget, re-election of officers (Richard Factor, A. Heather Wood, H. Paul Shuch), and agreement to resume cost sharing of the Executive Director Emeritus' health insurance premiums.

Technical Program Takes Shape

This section outlines the preliminary schedule for the joint SARA / SETI League technical conference to be held July 1-3, 2007, at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV. It lists numerous speakers and topics, including presentations on radio spectrum trends, dark skies conservation, astro-chemistry, SETI transmission debates, and Gnu Radio/SDR astronomy. The conference also includes poster sessions, social events, and tours.

Minutes of the Thirteenth Annual Membership Meeting

These minutes detail the proceedings of The SETI League's Annual Membership Meeting held on April 29, 2007. Key points include:

• Call to Order: Meeting convened with a quorum present.
• Minutes of 2006 Membership Meeting: Accepted as previously posted.
• Treasurer's Report: Presented for the calendar year 2006, showing revenues of $12,568 and expenses of $16,677, resulting in a deficit of $4,109. Account balances decreased from $8,712 in 2005 to $4,603 at the end of 2006. The current balance is approximately $6,500. The 2006 budget projected a deficit of $2,000.
• Executive Director's Report: Accepted as previously posted.
• Committee Reports:
• EME Committee: Reported that the moonbounce beacon is offline due to power amplifier issues; new antennas are purchased but not yet installed. The goal is to make the beacon receivable by typical Project Argus stations.
• Awards Committee: Announced twelve "SETI SuperStar" website awards and recommended three nominees for the Giordano Bruno Memorial Award.
• Old Business:
• Mid-Year Renewal Letter: A letter to lapsed members brought in approximately $400 in dues revenue.
• EME Antennas: New moonbounce antennas purchased last year are awaiting professional installation.
• Annual Report: The 2006 Annual Report is available to members in PDF format online.
• New Business:
• Steward Observatory Proposal: An offer to manage time on a 12-meter radio telescope at Kitt Peak was considered but declined due to lack of staff and resources.
• SARA Proceedings: The SETI League will assist with editing the SARA 2007 Proceedings, following their assistance with the 2006 conference.
• Charter Member Program: Discussions were held regarding a program to honor long-standing members, including offering publications to libraries/schools and free student memberships.
• Next Annual Meeting: Tentative dates of April 20 and April 27, 2008, were suggested.
• Awards: David Ocame presented the Giordano Bruno Memorial Award to Robert Melville, and the Orville N. Greene Service Award to Mr. Ocame.
• Good and Welfare: Robert Melville gave a presentation on his SETI activities at the South Pole.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 14:25 EDT.

Ask Dr. SETI: Planck, Wien, and Magic Frequencies

This Q&A segment addresses a discrepancy in the peak frequency of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). A reader notes conflicting figures of 279.5 GHz and 160.4 GHz. Dr. SETI explains that both are correct, arising from different definitions: one based on energy per unit wavelength (Wien's Law, yielding ~279.5 GHz) and the other on energy per unit frequency (Planck's Law, yielding ~160.4 GHz). Both represent a "magic frequency" for SETI searches.

Ask Dr. SETI: Doppler Shift

Another reader, Jim from California, asks about the Doppler shift calculation in an Excel spreadsheet. He intuitively expects the Doppler shift to go from maximum positive to maximum negative as a celestial object moves across the sky. Dr. SETI clarifies that the spreadsheet likely calculates the *rate of change* of Doppler shift (the first time derivative), not the shift itself. This rate is indeed nearly zero at acquisition and loss of signal, and maximum at zenith, but its sign is consistently negative, indicating a continuous decrease in frequency over time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the importance of observatories like Arecibo, the role of amateur contributions to science (particularly in SETI and radio astronomy), the impact of technological advancements like miniaturization, and the ongoing efforts of The SETI League and its affiliated organizations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of continued support for SETI research, highlighting the value of both professional and amateur endeavors, and advocating for the preservation of critical scientific infrastructure.