SearchLites - Vol 18 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 18 No. 2
Date: Spring 2012
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Type: Quarterly Newsletter

The Drake Equation: All in the Family

This article, a blog entry from Science News by Nadia Drake, discusses the 50th anniversary of the Drake Equation, created by her father, Frank Drake. The equation, developed to estimate the number of detectable intelligent civilizations in the Milky Way, is now a staple in astronomy textbooks. Drake recounts how the equation originated from his need to organize a meeting at the Green Bank Observatory in 1961. He invited prominent scientists like Carl Sagan, Otto Struve, and Melvin Calvin. The article notes how the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has evolved from fringe science to citizen-led projects using personal computers. While the equation's core remains unchanged, the definitions of its terms, such as 'L' (lifetime of a civilization) and 'ne' (fraction of habitable planets), have evolved. Drake clarifies that 'habitable planets' can also include habitable moons like Europa. The article concludes with optimism that in another 50 years, we might have better data to fill in the equation's terms and potentially detect signals from other civilizations.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI. Notable events include:

• March 10, 2012: 37th Trenton Computer Festival, Ewing, NJ.
• March 30 - April 1, 2012: Contact 2012, Sunnyvale, CA.
• April 21, 2012: Thirteenth annual SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party.
• April 22, 2012: Eighteenth SETI League Annual Membership Meeting, Little Ferry NJ.
• May 22 - 24, 2012: IAA Global Space Exploration Conference, Washington, DC.
• October 1 - 5, 2012: 63rd International Astronautical Congress, Naples, Italy.

Future events in 2013 and 2014 are also listed, including subsequent SETI League Annual Membership Meetings and Ham Radio QSO Parties.

Annual Meeting Notice

The SETI League, Inc. announces its Eighteenth Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 1 PM Eastern time at their headquarters in Little Ferry, NJ. Directions for out-of-town members, including recommendations for Newark International Airport (EWR) and Teterboro Airport, are provided. The notice also outlines the preliminary agenda, which includes reviewing minutes, financial reports, old and new business, and good and welfare. The annual Board of Trustees Meeting will immediately follow.

SETI League 2011 Program Service Accomplishments

This section details the organization's achievements in 2011 across several program areas:

• (a) Science Programs: Supported 147 Project Argus radio telescopes in 27 countries, monitored telemetry signals from space probes, provided leadership to the International Academy of Astronautics' SETI Permanent Study Group, and continued computer support for the SETI@home project via BOINC.
• (b) Technology Programs: Assisted three members in establishing new Project Argus stations and coordinated four technical email lists.
• (c) Public Education Programs: Executive Director Emeritus delivered five public SETI lectures, members participated in the Green Bank Technical Conference and other SARA regional conferences, and five technical articles were published. The League also provided webmastering services and distributed technical manuals and guides.
• (d) Media and Outreach Programs: Published four issues of SearchLites, coordinated email lists, distributed press releases and editorials, updated the website extensively, mailed brochures, and conducted media briefings. Regional Coordinators in 46 countries engaged in outreach, and the Executive Director Emeritus gave interviews in multiple countries. The Awards Committee designated recipients for several awards.

Ask Dr. SETI ®

ATA Dish Design: A reader from North Dakota inquires about the design of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) dishes. Dr. SETI explains that they are Gregorian antennas, featuring a ~6-meter offset-fed primary mirror and a ~2-meter secondary reflector. The signals are then directed to a broadband log-periodic feed containing a cryogenically cooled balun and a low-noise preamplifier, noting the system's high efficiency, complexity, and cost.

Guest Editorials: National Parks on the Moon?

By Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute.

Shostak reflects on the idea of preserving historic landing sites on the Moon, drawing a parallel to the difficulty in pinpointing Columbus's exact landing spot in the Bahamas. He highlights NASA's concern and the work of ecologist Margaret Race in deliberating the preservation of Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 landing zones. With the rise of private space exploration, particularly the Google Lunar X-Prize competition, there's a growing need for guidelines to protect these sites from potential damage caused by rocket exhaust, accidental crashes, or even routine rover operations. Shostak argues for updating the Outer Space Treaty to address these issues, suggesting that proactive measures are needed to ensure these sites are preserved for future generations, unlike historical sites on Earth that were often lost or poorly documented.

Let the Search Continue

By Paul Gilster, Centauri Dreams.

This article discusses the ongoing importance of SETI research, even for those who are skeptical about the existence of other technological civilizations. Ben Zuckerman, a professor at UCLA, is quoted as advocating for continued SETI efforts due to their relatively low cost. Jill Tarter's views are also mentioned, emphasizing that despite funding challenges for the Allen Telescope Array, the search is far from over given the vastness of the galaxy. The article highlights the role of the Kepler mission in identifying potential exoplanets, providing a targeted list of stars for SETI observation. It also notes the Green Bank radio telescope facility's effort to study Kepler-identified candidate systems and the return to operation of the Allen Telescope Array, supported by donations and Air Force funding. The author expresses a personal view that while intelligent life might not be widespread, the pursuit of knowledge through SETI is valuable, and the potential discovery of extraterrestrial signals would revolutionize our understanding of humanity's place in the cosmos.

SETI League Financial Report

This section presents unaudited financial data for The SETI League for 2011 and the proposed budget for 2012.

• 2011 Revenues (unaudited):
• Contributions Received: $11,721 (66%)
• Membership Premiums: $5,223 (30%)
• Interest Income: $468 (3%)
• Honoraria: $200 (1%)
• Total Revenues: $17,621

• 2011 Expenses (unaudited):
• Program Expenses: $17,872 (82%)
• Admin & Overhead: $2,886 (13%)
• Fundraising: $993 (5%)
• Total Expenses: $21,751

• 2011 Balance Sheet:
• Beginning Net Assets: $10,981
• Ending Net Assets: $6,851

• Annual Budget - 2012 (proposed):
• Total Revenues: $18,005
• Total Expenses: $21,000
• Excess or (Deficit) for the year: ($2,995)
• Ending Net Assets: $3,856

Budget Tracking – 2011

This table provides a detailed breakdown of projected versus actual revenues and expenses for 2011, as well as the balance sheet. Actual revenues ($17,621) fell short of projected revenues ($20,019), and actual expenses ($21,751) exceeded projected expenses ($22,000), resulting in a larger deficit (-$4,130) than projected (-$1,981).

Annual Budget - 2012

This table outlines the proposed budget for 2012, with projected revenues of $18,005 and projected expenses of $21,000, leading to a projected deficit of $2,995.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SearchLites revolve around the ongoing scientific endeavor of SETI, the importance of historical preservation in space exploration, and the financial health and operational activities of The SETI League. The editorial stance is one of persistent advocacy for SETI research, emphasizing its scientific value and public interest, while also acknowledging the pragmatic need for funding and efficient management. There's a clear commitment to public education and outreach, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of the League's accomplishments. The issue also touches upon the ethical considerations of space exploration, particularly concerning the preservation of significant human achievements in space.