SearchLites

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 25 No. 4
Date: Autumn 2019
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Type: Quarterly Newsletter

This issue of SearchLites, the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc., is dedicated to informing its members about significant events and individuals within the field of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and related areas.

In Memoriam: Nikolai Kardashev (1932-2019)

Authored by Doug Vakoch of METI International, this section pays tribute to the late Nikolai Kardashev, a prominent Russian astrophysicist and SETI pioneer. Kardashev passed away on August 3, 2019. He is most famous for the Kardashev scale, a method for classifying extraterrestrial civilizations based on their energy consumption. The article details his pioneering work, including the first Soviet search for extraterrestrial intelligence in 1963, where he examined the quasar CTA-102 for signs of technological civilization. In 1964, he organized the first Soviet conference on communication with extraterrestrial intelligence (CETI) and proposed his eponymous scale, which categorizes civilizations into Type I (planetary energy use), Type II (stellar energy use), and Type III (galactic energy use). The piece also highlights his collaboration with American astronomer Carl Sagan in organizing a Soviet-American CETI conference in 1971. Kardashev's academic achievements include becoming a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1976 and a full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1994, followed by the Demidov Prize a decade later for his contributions to astrophysics.

Guest Editorial: Storming Area 51

Written by Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute, this guest editorial, originally from the SETI Institute Journey eNewsletter, dated August 1, 2019, critically examines the phenomenon of the 'Storming Area 51' event. The editorial notes that over a million people expressed intent to scale the fences of Area 51 in the Nevada desert, hoping to find aliens. Shostak suggests the event began as a joke on Facebook but had the potential to draw a large crowd. He questions the logic behind the belief that aliens are secretly housed at Area 51, citing the lack of credible evidence and the unlikelihood of such a secret being kept by thousands of employees over decades. Shostak points out that while Area 51 is known for testing new military aircraft, attempting to access it is dangerous, with warnings of harsh penalties and authorized deadly force. He also highlights the harsh desert environment as a deterrent. The editorial touches upon public belief in extraterrestrial visitation, citing surveys indicating a significant portion of the American public is convinced aliens are visiting Earth and that the government knows. Shostak contrasts this with the absence of such evidence at public institutions like the Smithsonian or the Roswell UFO Museum. He mentions Nevada's promotion of the Extraterrestrial Highway (Route 375) as a nod to UFO culture, and notes a past attempt by a state senator to cancel NASA's project to search for radio signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial concludes that while the truth about aliens may not be at Area 51, advanced aircraft and prickly pear are likely present.

Event Horizon

This section provides a calendar of upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI and space exploration. Members are encouraged to check the SETI League's website or email for more details. Events listed include:

• Albicon 2019 in Albany, NY (September 13-15, 2019)
• Storming of Area 51 event (September 20, 2019)
• Capclave 2019 in Rockville, MD (October 18-20, 2019)
• 70th International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC (October 21-25, 2019)
• Philcon 2019 in Cherry Hill, NJ (November 8-10, 2019)
• 6th Interstellar Symposium in Wichita, KS (November 10-15, 2019)
• SPACOMM 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal (February 23-27, 2020)
• Twenty-Sixth SETI League Annual Membership Meeting in Little Ferry, NJ (April 26, 2020)
• Balticon 54 in Baltimore, MD (May 22-26, 2020)
• Global Space Exploration Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia (June 9-11, 2020)
• 78th World Science Fiction Convention in Wellington, New Zealand (July 29 - August 2, 2020)
• 43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Sydney, Australia (August 15-23, 2020)
• International Union of Radio Science General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Rome, Italy (August 29 - September 5, 2020)
• 79th World Science Fiction Convention in Washington, DC (August 25-29, 2021)

SETI League News and Membership

The newsletter includes information about SETI League executive director H. Paul Shuch's experience with a Theremin and a photo of him with his son Curran Bailey at a SETI presentation. Members are encouraged to nominate SETI-relevant websites for the monthly SETI SuperStar Award by emailing Awards_at_setileague_dot_org with the URL and a brief explanation.

The back page is dedicated to annual membership renewal for the calendar year. It details various membership categories, including Full Member, Supporting Member, Scholarship Member, Household Member, and Life Member options, along with their respective annual dues. It also lists available membership premiums for purchase, such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs of conference proceedings, books, and music CDs, with prices for US and international shipping. The SETI League also offers a 'SETI Nerd Gift Set'. The page provides instructions for payment via PayPal and includes a form for updating address information and submitting renewal details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the ongoing exploration and discussion of extraterrestrial intelligence, both in terms of scientific inquiry and public fascination. The "In Memoriam" section honors a key figure in SETI history, while the guest editorial addresses popular culture's engagement with UFOs and government secrecy. The "Event Horizon" section actively promotes participation in the broader scientific and fan communities related to space and SETI. The SETI League's editorial stance is one of active engagement, education, and support for SETI research, encouraging member participation and promoting relevant events and resources. The newsletter functions as a vital communication channel for its members, providing updates, news, and opportunities for involvement in the field of SETI.