SearchLites - Vol 20 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 20, Number 3, Summer 2014, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. The magazine covers a range of topics including the organization's new social media presence, scientific discoveries, tributes to notable members, and administrative updates.

SETI League Launches Facebook Presence

This article announces The SETI League's adoption of Facebook as its primary social networking platform, effective April 13, 2014. Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch explains that this move is to adapt to the evolving digital landscape, moving from older email list paradigms to modern social networking. He notes that the group's prototype page quickly garnered over 100 'Likes' and sparked technical discussions. The Facebook page aims to foster debate and dialogue on SETI science, technology, and societal implications, with moderation focused on maintaining the spirit of The SETI League's vision. The article also reiterates that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, largely conducted using radio and optical telescopes, has been privatized since NASA's SETI funding was terminated in 1993. Contact information for The SETI League is provided for those interested in participating or supporting the research.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI research and amateur radio. Events include the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers Conference, Loncon3 (World Science Fiction Convention), the International Astronautical Congress, and Philcon. It also highlights the annual SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party in April 2015 and 2016, and the SETI League Annual Membership Meeting in Little Ferry, NJ.

Email Progress

This brief update informs members that The SETI League's email service has been restored after an outage. It provides updated email addresses for key officers and departments, including the Secretary/Treasurer, Webmaster/Executive Director Emeritus, Memberships and Premiums, and General Information.

Contemplating Mortality

Written by H. Paul Shuch, Executive Director Emeritus, this personal reflection is prompted by the recent death of Tom Pierson, a colleague from the SETI Institute. Shuch recounts his long-standing professional and personal relationship with Pierson, who was instrumental in helping Shuch establish The SETI League by guiding him through administrative processes. The article emphasizes that SETI is likely a multi-generational pursuit and that current participants may not live to see its ultimate success. Shuch honors Pierson's legacy and tenacity, reflecting on the brevity of individual existence and humanity's place in the cosmos.

Guest Editorial: Kepler-186f: Close to Earth Size, in the HZ

This editorial, by Paul Gilster from his Centauri Dreams blog, discusses the discovery of Kepler-186f, an exoplanet located in the habitable zone of its star. Gilster highlights that the planet is close to Earth's size (about 1.1 Earth radii) and likely rocky, based on its mass and the transition point where planets begin to accumulate thick hydrogen/helium atmospheres. Lead author Elisa Quintana (NASA Ames) calls it the "first definitive Earth-sized planet found in the habitable zone around another star." The discovery utilized 'speckle imaging' and adaptive optics from the Gemini North and Keck II telescopes to confirm the planet's transit signal. Kepler-186f orbits its M-dwarf star every 130 days, receiving about a third of the heat Earth receives from the Sun. While M-dwarfs pose challenges like flare activity and potential tidal locking, Kepler-186f's position on the outer edge of the habitable zone might mitigate these issues. The article notes that atmospheric analysis is currently beyond the capabilities of planned instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope, but SETI efforts continue to scan for signals in the 1 to 10 GHz range. The findings were published in the journal *Science*.

Remembering: Tony Monteiro

This section is a tribute to Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, Vice President of Engineering for AMSAT and a collaborator with The SETI League, who passed away at age 55. The remembrance, contributed by AMSAT president Barry Baines and H. Paul Shuch, details Monteiro's significant contributions to amateur radio and satellite projects. He was a gifted antenna designer, instrumental in developing the SETI Horn of Plenty antenna. Monteiro held an Extra Class Amateur Radio License and earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His career included work at Bell Laboratories and Cisco Systems before he focused on satellite projects. He was a key member of AMSAT, working on satellites like AO-40 and NO-60, and designing the software for the ARISSat-1 transponder. He also led AMSAT's efforts for the Fox-1 and Fox-1B projects, fostering university collaborations for student-developed technologies. Monteiro was elected to the AMSAT Board of Directors in 2011 and was known for his collaborative approach and emphasis on friendship.

Minutes of the Twentieth Annual Membership Meeting

This section details the proceedings of The SETI League's Annual Membership Meeting held on April 13, 2014, in Little Ferry, NJ. A quorum of three members was present. The minutes of the 2013 meeting were accepted as posted. The Treasurer's Report for calendar year 2013 showed revenues of $16,469 and expenses of $14,561, resulting in a surplus of $1,908. The report projected a surplus of $569 for 2014. The Executive Director's report and committee reports were also accepted. The EME Committee reported that the beacon remains off the air due to Richard Factor's relocation, though he is planning for future EME operations. The Awards Committee reported no major awards presented in 2013 but noted twelve websites received the SETI SuperStar award. Old business included the Very Small Array project remaining on hold due to lack of funding, and plans for a mid-year renewal letter to lapsed members. The 2013 Annual Report is available online. The web server is functioning well, but the email server remains offline, with commercial email service activated. New business included the announcement of the next Annual Meeting on April 19, 2015.

Business Transacted by Board of Trustees

Following the membership meeting, the Board of Trustees convened. The existing slate of officers, including President Richard Factor, Secretary/Treasurer A. Heather Wood, and Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch, was retained for another year. No executive sessions or personnel reviews were held. The board reviewed terms for cost-sharing of health insurance premiums. The draft 2014 Budget was adopted. The Executive Director Emeritus will draft a letter to the Advisory Board. The Secretary/Treasurer will arrange for credit card processing via PayPal to reduce bank fees. The board will appoint a new Registered Agent as Mr. Factor is no longer a New Jersey resident. The Board voted to offer assistance to the New Horizons Message Initiative. A transition to Facebook for press release distribution was discussed. The Board meeting adjourned at 13:50 EDT.

Touching the Sky

This installment of H. Paul Shuch's memoirs, recast in verse, recounts his return to aviation education. Shuch describes his early fascination with flight, stemming from a 1961 Aeronca Champ flight, and his subsequent military service in the Air Force, where he worked in electronic combat. Despite not earning wings, he developed an affinity for aviation. After leaving the service, he pursued flight instruction, eventually earning his CFI rating. He reflects on the dated curriculum in US flight instruction and his desire to innovate. Shuch founded AvSport in the Susquehanna Valley, offering a Sport Pilot rating and training. He details the business planning process, trading his Beechcraft for a Czech primary trainer, and emphasizes that his training model is a trade secret. He highlights the Susquehanna Valley and Lock Haven as ideal locations for flight training, noting that while the business is marginally profitable, the true reward is "touching the sky."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SearchLites include the ongoing evolution of SETI communication and outreach (transitioning to Facebook), the scientific pursuit of exoplanets (Kepler-186f), and the importance of community and remembrance within the SETI and amateur radio fields (tributes to Tony Monteiro and discussions of annual meetings). The editorial stance, as reflected in the articles and editorials, is one of continued dedication to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, adaptation to new technologies, and a strong sense of community among its members. There is also an emphasis on the long-term nature of SETI research and the importance of education and scientific advancement.