SearchLites - Vol 27 No 2

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Vol. 27 No. 2, Spring 2021, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on the organization's shift to virtual meetings and the future of the Arecibo Observatory.

Annual Meeting Goes Virtual

The lead article discusses the SETI League's decision to hold its annual membership meeting virtually for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization had previously held in-person meetings every April since 1994. In March 2020, a physical gathering was deemed unsafe, and due to a lack of infrastructure, only the required Board meeting was held online via Skype. This year, with increased familiarity with virtual platforms like Zoom, the decision to go virtual was straightforward. The SETI League's first virtual mass gathering was scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 2021, at 1 PM EDT, followed by the Board of Trustees meeting an hour later. Members and supporters were asked to email SETI League Secretary Heather Wood at least two days prior to receive logon details. The author, H. Paul Shuch, expresses a personal longing for in-person gatherings but acknowledges the necessity of virtual formats.

Guest Editorials

The Spirit of Arecibo

Authored by Joseph Lazio of JPL, this editorial reflects on the prominent role of the Arecibo Observatory within the International Astronomical Union. Its loss, following its collapse on December 1, 2020, is keenly felt. For over 50 years, Arecibo's sensitivity provided unique insights into the Milky Way, star-forming regions, and evolved stars, notably through observations of the 21 cm line of neutral hydrogen. It played a crucial role in multi-messenger astronomy, including the discovery of decaying orbits of neutron stars, which supported the Theory of General Relativity and the prediction of gravitational waves. Precise timing of radio pulsars led to advances in understanding nuclear matter and the search for nanohertz gravitational waves. Arecibo also contributed to the search for extraterrestrial life by observing for signatures of other technologies and served as a marker for interstellar transmissions. Its Planetary Radar system provided crucial views of Mercury and Venus and information on near-Earth asteroids for planetary defense. The editorial emphasizes that these discoveries were made possible by the cultivation of immense scientific talent at the observatory. Despite its loss, data from Arecibo will continue to be vital for future discoveries, and the National Science Foundation is exploring new roles and opportunities for the site.

Support The Next Generation Arecibo Telescope

Authored by H. Paul Shuch, this editorial addresses the efforts to envision a future for the Arecibo facility after its collapse. An alliance of over 50 radio astronomers has released a 96-page White Paper proposing the funding and construction of the Next Generation Arecibo Telescope (NGAT). The proposal is being presented to the National Science Foundation, and the public is invited to sign on in support. The excerpt highlights Arecibo's legacy as a beacon for revolutionary science and innovation for over 50 years, contributing to understanding Earth's atmosphere, hazardous asteroids, and offering views of the cosmos. It emphasizes the inspiration Arecibo provided to millions and its role in creating scientists. The NGAT concept aims to continue this legacy with a new instrument featuring a compact, phased array of dishes on a steerable plate-like structure with high-power radar capabilities. This design would offer greater sensitivity and a wider field-of-view than the legacy telescope. The paper serves as a starting point for engineering and optical studies, leveraging existing infrastructure and experience. The author expresses personal support for this undertaking and encourages SETI League members and enthusiasts to support the proposal. A link to the White Paper is provided: www.naic.edu/NGAT/NGAT_WhitePaper_v2_01022021.pdf. A disclaimer notes that opinions in editorials are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The SETI League.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming SETI-related conferences and meetings. Members are encouraged to send information about other events to [email protected]. Key events include:

• April 18, 2021, 1300 EDT: Twenty-Seventh SETI League Annual Membership Meeting (Online via Zoom)
• August 25 - 29, 2021: 79th World Science Fiction Convention, Washington, DC.
• October 25 - 29, 2021: 71st International Astronautical Congress, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• June 27 - 30, 2022: Penn State SETI Symposium, State College, PA.
• September 18 -22, 2022: 72nd International Astronautical Congress, Paris, France.
• 2023 (dates to be announced): 73nd International Astronautical Congress, Baku, Azerbaijan.

The section also notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to cancellations and rescheduling of many events, advising readers to check with sponsors for updates.

Other Sections

• Contact Information: The SETI League's offices, phone, fax, email, and website are listed.
• Staff and Board: Key personnel including the President, Registered Agent, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Director Emeritus, Trustee, and Advisory Board members are listed.
• Copyright and Permissions: The newsletter is copyrighted 2021 by The SETI League, Inc., with permission granted for reproduction provided credit is given.
• AmazonSmile: A promotion encourages readers to support The SETI League by shopping through AmazonSmile.
• SETI Superstar Award: Members are invited to nominate SETI-relevant websites for this award.
• Membership Renewal: Information is provided for renewing SETI League memberships, including categories and costs. The annual memberships are for the calendar year.
• Membership Premiums: A list of available premiums for purchase, such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs, and books, is included with prices for members and non-members.
• PayPal Payment: Instructions are given for paying membership dues and contributions via PayPal.
• Address Service Requested: A section for updating mailing addresses.
• Project Argus: A brief mention that Project Argus station FN11lh went off the air due to winter weather and remained offline until spring thaw.
• Arecibo Photo: An aerial photo of the damaged Arecibo radio telescope taken by Eddy Cardenty is featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the resilience and adaptability of the SETI community in the face of global challenges (like the pandemic and the loss of Arecibo), the importance of continued scientific exploration, and the need for public support for ambitious projects like NGAT. The editorial stance is one of dedication to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, emphasizing scientific rigor, community engagement, and the long-term vision for SETI research. There is a clear advocacy for supporting the future of radio astronomy, particularly through initiatives like NGAT, and a commitment to keeping members informed and engaged through the SearchLites newsletter and virtual events.