SearchLites - Vol 16 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 16, Number 3, Summer 2010, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. The issue features an editorial by H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus, titled "Where Is Everybody?", which addresses a significant decline in SETI League membership. The newsletter also includes an article by Larry Klaes on the "Faces from Earth Project," an initiative focused on representing humanity in space missions, minutes from the Sixteenth Annual Membership Meeting, a list of upcoming SETI-related events, and photographs from recent conferences.

Editorial: Where Is Everybody?

H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus, expresses concern over the dwindling membership of The SETI League. He notes that the April 2010 Annual Meeting barely achieved a quorum with only three members present, suggesting the current membership might be at or below 300 individuals, a stark contrast to the 1500 members a decade prior. Shuch speculates that impatience and short attention spans may lead people to lose interest in the long-term quest for extraterrestrial contact. He reflects on his own reduced involvement due to other responsibilities, despite holding a Life Membership.

Article: Facing the Galaxy: The Faces from Earth Project

Larry Klaes discusses the "Faces from Earth" project, an initiative by physicist Tibor Pacher. This project aims to ensure that all future deep space missions carry information packages that accurately represent humanity and Earth. The project includes "Mosaic Earth," which allows individuals to contribute their faces to a holographic representation of the species. The goal is to foster global awareness of humanity and astronomy, encouraging participation from people of all backgrounds to create a respectful and valuable legacy for future generations. The article also touches upon the history of METI (Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligences), referencing early efforts like the Pioneer Plaques and Voyager Records.

Minutes of the Sixteenth Annual Membership Meeting

The meeting was held on April 18, 2010, in Little Ferry, NJ, with three members present, constituting a quorum. Key points from the meeting include:

• Minutes of 2009 Membership Meeting: Accepted as published.
• Treasurer's Report: For the calendar year 2009, revenues were $26,273 and expenses were $23,038, resulting in a surplus of $3,235. The report also detailed account balances and the 2010 budget, which projected a deficit of $1,975.
• Executive Director's Report: Accepted as published.
• Committee Reports: The EME Committee reported on damage to moonbounce antennas from high winds, with repairs pending.
• Awards Committee: The 2010 Giordano Bruno Memorial Award was presented to Dan Werthimer, chief scientist of SETI@home.
• Old Business: The "Very Small Array" and "Ostrich Farm Facility" initiatives are on hold due to funding issues.
• Mid-Year Renewal Letter: A mid-year renewal letter sent in 2009 successfully brought back several expired members.
• Annual Report: The 2009 Annual Report is available online.
• Volunteer Appreciation: The program is suspended for 2010.
• SARA Proceedings: The SETI League will no longer publish SARA Proceedings or co-chair the SARA Conference.
• New Business: A new web server has been secured, and security issues for the Members-Only section are being addressed. The next Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2011.
• Good and Welfare: Members reported being in good health.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 13:26 EDT on April 18, 2010.

Business Transacted by Board of Trustees:

The Board of Trustees convened after the Annual Meeting. Key decisions included:

• Election of Officers: The slate of officers, including President Richard Factor and Secretary/Treasurer A. Heather Wood, was retained for another year.
• Registered Agent: Richard Factor agreed to continue serving as the Registered Agent.
• Personnel Matters: The Board voted to continue cost-sharing of the Executive Director Emeritus' health insurance premiums.
• Advisory Board: Establishment of a secure email alias for communication with the Advisory Board is on hold pending the new web server activation.
• Bank Fees: The Secretary/Treasurer will work to reduce bank fees.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI research and amateur radio astronomy from June 2010 through April 2014. Events include the Rochester Hamfest, Natural Philosophy Alliance Conference, SETI Institute SETIcon, and various International Astronautical Congresses.

Conference Photos

Photographs from recent events are featured:

• SARA Regional Conference Photos: Images of SETI League member Marcus Leech speaking about the GNURadio project, and Bob Lash discussing his SETI radio telescope. A tour of the Stanford Research Institute 150-foot dish facility is also shown, with Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch observing technological changes.
• 2010 AAAS Photos: Images from the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in San Diego, featuring SETI patriarch Frank Drake reminiscing about SETI science, Peter Backus speaking about Project Phoenix, and a panel with Frank Drake, Jill Tarter, and Seth Shostak. A photo of the symposium attendees is also included.

Back Cover and Membership Information

The back cover provides contact information for The SETI League, Inc., and includes a renewal form for memberships. It details various membership categories, their annual dues, and available membership premiums. The form also offers options for payment via PayPal and provides fields for updating contact information. The issue is printed in the USA and includes U.S. Postage information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the state of The SETI League as an organization, particularly its membership numbers and financial health. The editorial stance, as expressed by H. Paul Shuch, is one of concern for the future of the organization and the broader SETI endeavor if engagement wanes. The "Faces from Earth" project represents a forward-looking perspective on humanity's place in the cosmos, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful representation. The inclusion of meeting minutes and event listings underscores the organization's commitment to its members and the scientific community, despite the challenges highlighted in the editorial.