SearchLites - Vol 27 No 4

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 27, Number 4, Fall 2021, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue focuses on international scientific cooperation, a personal tribute, and advancements in space exploration.

Feature Article: Please Help Afghani Scientists

Authored by Prof. Teresa Lago, General Secretary of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), this article expresses profound concern over the current events in Afghanistan and their potential adverse consequences for the scientific community, particularly for women in science and girls' access to education. The IAU has received reports of dire circumstances and requests for help from colleagues fearing for their lives due to their scientific pursuits. The IAU's mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy, and while it does not wish to influence political decisions, it is concerned about the potential negative impacts on its community. The article encourages members and National Members to denounce actions that endanger colleagues and to provide protective action and assistance wherever possible. It reaffirms the ISCU Principle of Universality of Science, which mandates freedom of movement, association, expression, and communication for scientists, and opposes discrimination.

Guest Editorial: Sonia and the Spirit of SETI

Written by Elisabeth Piotelat, this editorial is a personal tribute to her daughter, Sonia, who passed away on June 26, 2020, at the age of 18. Sonia was a STEM student and had been a household member of the SETI League since birth. Her early contributions included an appearance on the "Who We Are" page of Allen Tought's "Invitation to ETI" website. Piotelat recounts philosophical discussions with Sonia about the Pioneer Plaque and humanity's representation. Sonia's feedback on her mother's SETI talks, such as "it's boring, Mom," and her questions about probes to Enceladus, helped refine the presentations. Sonia attended the SETI Italia workshop in Milano in 2017, where she acted as a community manager, contributing to the SETI League website and Facebook page. Her interest in repairing smartphones and her involvement with SETI League projects like Project Argus and visits to the Nançay Observatory are highlighted. Piotelat expresses gratitude to Paul and the SETI League members for the hope they instilled in Sonia and other young people, noting the "invisible impact of SETI research."

Article: Martian Chopper

Authored by Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute, this article discusses the first flight of NASA's Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, which occurred on April 19, 2021. Shostak quotes NASA's description, "We have liftoff," noting the flight took place from a dusty patch on Mars. The Ingenuity helicopter, described as a drone, rose about the height of a basketball hoop in the thin Martian atmosphere for approximately 40 seconds before landing. It was carried to Mars within a protective shield under the Perseverance rover and required a multi-day process to detach, position, and prepare for flight. The primary challenge was Mars' thin atmosphere, about a hundred times less dense than Earth's. The craft, weighing four pounds, utilizes two counter-rotating rotors powered by about half a horsepower to achieve flight. Ingenuity was not equipped with science instrumentation, but rather two cameras, and its flight was a technical demonstration. Shostak emphasizes that proving such craft can fly opens up future possibilities, such as drones acting as "point persons" for rovers, guiding them around obstacles, and scouting locations for reconnaissance. The article compares Ingenuity's significance to the Wright Brothers' early flights, suggesting it could be crucial for future Martian exploration. A photo caption notes that Ingenuity captured its own shadow while hovering, and that Mars was fated to endure six additional weeks of Martian winter.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI research. These include the 72nd International Astronautical Congress in Dubai (October 25-29, 2021), the 79th World Science Fiction Convention in Washington, DC (December 15-19, 2021), the Twenty-Eighth SETI League Annual Membership Meeting virtually (April 24, 2022), the Penn State SETI Symposium (June 27-30, 2022), the 80th World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago (September 1-5, 2022), the 73rd International Astronautical Congress in Paris (September 18-22, 2022), and the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku (September 25-29, 2023). Readers are advised to check with event sponsors for updates due to potential COVID-19 related cancellations or rescheduling.

Support The SETI League

This section promotes ways for readers to support The SETI League. One method is through AmazonSmile (www.smile.amazon.com), where selecting "SETI League" as the charitable organization results in a half-percent donation from Amazon purchases. Another is the SETI SuperStar Award, for which members are encouraged to nominate SETI-relevant websites via email to Awards_at_setileague_dot_org.

Membership Renewal

The final pages are dedicated to membership renewal for the calendar year. It details various membership categories, including Full Member, Supporting Member, Scholarship Member, Household Member, Life Member, Sustaining Life Member, Patron, Director, and Benefactor, along with their respective annual dues. It also lists "Membership Premiums" available for purchase, such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs of conference proceedings, books, and T-shirts. A "SETI Nerd Gift Set" is offered at a discount for members. The section also provides instructions for paying dues via PayPal and includes a form for updating addresses and submitting renewal payments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are international scientific cooperation, the importance of supporting scientists globally (especially in challenging political climates), the legacy of individuals within the SETI community, and the ongoing exploration of space. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content and the disclaimer, is to promote SETI research, foster international collaboration, and advocate for the principles of scientific universality and freedom, while acknowledging that opinions expressed in editorials are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily the official position of The SETI League, Inc.