SearchLites - Vol 17 No 4

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Vol. 17, No. 4, Autumn 2011, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc., a membership-supported, non-profit educational and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. The issue features articles on the Allen Telescope Array, the rationale for METI, Space Renaissance, and updates on the Drake Equation.

Allen Telescope Disarray

This article by H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus, discusses the dismay within the scientific community when the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) was announced to be temporarily put into cold storage in April 2011. The ATA, a joint initiative of the SETI Institute and the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, was funded by industry icons like Paul Allen and Nathan Myhrvold, as well as numerous donors. Despite having 42 antennas running and conducting credible science, the project ran out of money. The array cost approximately $50 million, with much of the expense attributed to research, development, and operations. To restart the ATA, approximately five million dollars are needed. Shuch also draws a parallel to The SETI League's own 'Very Small Array' project, which also ran out of funds after consuming about ten thousand dollars. He appeals to readers to consider donating to either the ATA or The SETI League's VSA project, or to become a $50 member of The SETI League to support their efforts.

Rationale for METI

In this guest editorial, Alexander L. Zaitsev from the Institute of Radio Engineering, Russian Academy of Science, argues for the importance of METI (Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence). He references Nicholay Kardashev's idea that transmitting information into the cosmos is a vital need for highly developed civilizations. Zaitsev highlights historical interest in this topic, citing Carl Gauss and Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. He discusses the 'Great Silence' and proposes 'The SETI Paradox,' where the disparity between extensive SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) efforts and limited METI efforts might explain the universe's silence. He also suggests that fear of alien invasion, perpetuated by some scientists and science-fiction writers, might cause civilizations to remain silent. Zaitsev concludes that isolationism, whether individual or planetary, can lead to extinction, and that prohibiting radar astronomy and message transmission creates defenselessness against hazards and the threat of extinction due to apathy.

Space Renaissance: The beginning, not the end

This article reports on the first conference of Space Renaissance International (SRI), which declared that the age of expanding human civilization beyond Earth is just beginning. SRI founder Adriano Autino described this as the 'age of space used for human development outside Earth.' The SRI Congress, held online, brought together members and supporters of worldwide cooperation in space development. SRI member Rob Hunt identified three motivators for space development: curiosity, fear of global disasters, and profit, all of which SRI philosophy addresses. The SRI Manifesto is grounded in 'Astronautic Humanism,' a scientific view of the Universe leading to an evolutionary approach. The article outlines three concrete SRI projects: assessing global civilization risk, investigating space business lines, and developing a 'Virtual Orbital Space Settlement Project.' Information on the SRI Congress transcript and membership is available on their website, www.SpaceRenaissance.org.

Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers listen to the folk songs of the spheres

This article by Joe Barron describes a presentation by H. Paul Shuch, director emeritus of The SETI League, to the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers. Shuch shared the history of SETI, incorporating songs with his own lyrics set to existing melodies, accompanied by guitar. He explained that SETI began with the invention of radio astronomy and that scientists expect extraterrestrial signals to be broadcast on a narrow bandwidth around 1420 MHz. He mentioned the 1977 Ohio State Wow Signal as a notable event, offering a humorous theory about Elvis Presley's farewell. Shuch encouraged the audience to join The SETI League. The article also notes that government funding for SETI in the 1990s was short-lived, and the effort now relies on private donations and amateur astronomers. Project Argus, The SETI League's All Sky Survey, is mentioned, with participants currently picking up interference from satellites. Shuch suggested that the first signals received might be from long-dead civilizations, but the proof of existence would be 'worth the price of admission.'

Ask Dr. SETI ®

This section addresses a reader's question about updating Drake Equation estimates in light of recent exoplanet discoveries. The 'Doctor' confirms that the era of exoplanet discovery, particularly with the Kepler spacecraft, has provided thousands of candidates and potentially hundreds of habitable planets. This has allowed for a better estimation of the second and third Drake Equation factors (f, and n.). However, the article emphasizes that estimates for the remaining factors, particularly L (the longevity of technological civilizations), remain highly speculative. The Drake Equation is presented as a tool for quantifying ignorance and guiding research rather than providing a definitive solution.

Book Review: Cosmos and Culture

This review by Larry Klaes discusses the book 'Cosmos & Culture: Cultural Evolution in a Cosmic Context,' edited by Steven J. Dick and Mark L. Lupisella. The book explores the ultimate reasons for space exploration and settlement, and how these decisions affect society and species. It moves beyond typical NASA publications by examining the broader implications of humanity's place in the universe. The review highlights the theme of extraterrestrial life and the authors' exploration of how alien intelligences might affect humanity, and how portraying ourselves to potential aliens shapes our own perspectives. Douglas A. Vakoch is quoted on the idea that encoding our origins for interstellar messages can cultivate greater intelligence on Earth. The book is described as a fascinating read that offers new facts and concepts, emphasizing that humanity is an integral part of a larger world and that this perspective is crucial for avoiding societal stagnation or extinction. The book is available online for free.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI, including the International Astronautical Congress, SETI League Ham Radio QSO Parties, and SETI League Annual Membership Meetings. It encourages readers to check The SETI League's website or contact them for more details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges and future of SETI and METI research, the expansion of human civilization into space, and the philosophical implications of our place in the cosmos. The SETI League, as the publisher, clearly supports both active (METI) and passive (SETI) approaches to searching for extraterrestrial intelligence, advocating for continued research and public engagement. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry, the need for funding for astronomical projects, and the potential for humanity to evolve and expand beyond Earth. There is a strong undercurrent of encouraging individual participation and support for these endeavors, whether through membership, donations, or personal involvement in amateur astronomy projects.