SearchLites - Vol 20 No 1

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 20, Number 1, Winter 2014, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue, published in Winter 2014, covers a range of topics related to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, including space missions, theoretical communication methods, historical accounts of SETI efforts, and upcoming events.

SETI's New Horizons by H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus

H. Paul Shuch discusses NASA's New Horizons mission, launched in January 2006, which was en route to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. The spacecraft was designed to accelerate using Jupiter's gravity and eventually leave the solar system. Shuch highlights a plan by his colleague Jon Lomberg to attach a message from humanity to the New Horizons probe, similar to the Voyager Golden Records, by beaming it via microwave to the spacecraft's memory. This endeavor is described as highly speculative but part of a new effort by SETI League members to send a 'Hello from the Children of Planet Earth.' A website and petition are available to support this initiative.

Works of Fiction by Dr. John Boardman

Dr. John Boardman critically examines the portrayal of alien life and contact in popular media, including science and history channels. He dismisses claims of alien involvement in ancient human cultures and expresses skepticism about 'flying saucer' narratives, preferring the term 'flying saucer' for its conveyance of 'lunacy.' Boardman argues against the scientific plausibility of alien life evolving on other planets within our solar system due to differing conditions and refutes the possibility of faster-than-light travel from other solar systems, citing Einstein's special theory of relativity. He also references an obituary for Dr. John Billingham, who initiated NASA's SETI program, noting that while SETI workers accepted radio communication, face-to-face contact with interstellar visitors is deemed unlikely.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI research. Events include Arisia and Boskone in Boston, MA; 'Search for Life Beyond the Solar System' in Tucson, AZ; the '5th IAA Search for Life Signatures Symposium' in Paris, France; and various meetings hosted by the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers. It also details the annual SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party and Membership Meetings for 2014 and 2015, along with other VHF conferences and International Astronautical Congresses in London, Toronto, and Jerusalem.

Photo Gallery

The photo gallery showcases images from the 64th International Astronautical Congress held in Beijing, China, in September 2013. Pictures include a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City, space architect Olga Bannova navigating the city, and a gathering of SETI enthusiasts. A notable image shows Professor H. Paul Shuch congratulating Professor Ed Stone on the Voyager missions, with Voyager 1 having crossed the heliopause to become Earth's first interstellar spacecraft.

International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee Meetings

Images depict regular meetings of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee at the annual International Astronautical Congress. Another photo shows SETI enthusiasts from various countries gathering in China for an annual IAA SETI dinner. Professor H. Paul Shuch is shown delivering the Billingham Cutting Edge Lecture at the 2013 SETI and Society session. Michael Busch is pictured with a model of asteroid 2008 EV5, on which he performed radar studies. Session co-chairs Claudio Maccone and H. Paul Shuch are shown with their colleague Shin-Ya Narusawa, who delivered a keynote lecture.

Guest Editorial: How To Be Understood By Aliens by Michael Busch

Michael Busch addresses the challenge of designing messages for potential extraterrestrial intelligence. He argues that while direct communication with aliens is currently impossible to predict, designing messages for SETI purposes requires establishing common knowledge, such as astronomy, physics, and math. Busch critiques messages like the Arecibo Message and Cosmic Call for their reliance on two-dimensional images, suggesting that constructed languages, potentially incorporating elements of computer programming, are more efficient and flexible for conveying complex ideas. He notes that his own test messages have been subjected to various individuals as proxies for aliens, with image-based messages requiring about three times more bits to convey equivalent information compared to language-based designs.

Leaving Academia by H. Paul Shuch

H. Paul Shuch recounts the founding of The SETI League, entering its twentieth year. He tells the story of how Richard Factor, the founder and president, recruited him to lead the non-profit organization. Shuch describes leaving a secure academic career for the 'fringe science' of SETI, driven by Factor's vision and his own interest. The narrative is presented as a personal account, emphasizing the transition from teaching to running The SETI League.

Membership and Renewal Information

The final page provides details for renewing SETI League memberships, offering various categories from 'Full Member' to 'Benefactor.' It also lists available membership premiums, such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, and proceedings from SETICon and EuroSETI conferences. Information on payment methods, including PayPal, is also included, along with contact details for The SETI League.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SearchLites strongly advocates for the pursuit of SETI, emphasizing its scientific and educational importance. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism regarding the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, while also grounding discussions in scientific principles and critiquing speculative or pseudoscientific claims. There is a clear focus on practical aspects of SETI, such as message design and the organization of conferences, alongside personal narratives that highlight the dedication of individuals involved in the field. The magazine promotes active participation through membership and engagement with SETI-related events and initiatives.