| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 760.1 | Some comments about one passage | CRATE::HAZEL | Marvin the Paranoid Android was right | Fri Oct 11 1991 11:59 | 36 |
| Please don't read this as a criticism of the SETI project, but I
noticed a few points on reading the base note which I felt needed some
clarification. They all concern the same sentence early on in the
report.
> Over the past few decades, scientific opinion has increasingly
>supported the theory that complex life has evolved on planets
>orbiting other stars in our galaxy and the universe.
Point 1: Note the word "opinion" being used. The sentence seems to draw
more from this word than is really justifies, as it sounds like there
is evidence on first reading.
Point 2: Saying that scientific opinion can support a theory (remember,
a theory is a mathematically consistent thing, not just a hypothesis)
is misleading. Only experimental evidence can support a theory. Opinion
is only responsible for selecting what theories and hypotheses are
given serious consideration.
Point 3: I have read articles which contradict this statement. There
are many scientists, some of whom are regular contributors to journals
such as JBIS, who openly challenge the hypothesis that there is any
other intelligent life in our Galaxy. These arguments are usually
based on the observation that, in the currently accepted lifetime of
our Galaxy, a sufficiently old civilisation would have had time to
colonise the place at walking speed. Personally, I think this argument
makes far too many assumptions about the psychology of space
exploration, but I advance it to put the record straight on the claim
made.
As I said, don't read the above as a criticism of the SETI program. I
support it, but I felt I couldn't let potential misunderstandings go by
without comment.
Dave Hazel
|
| 760.2 | | CLOSUS::TAVARES | John -- Stay low, keep moving | Fri Oct 11 1991 13:32 | 13 |
| I was impressed by the statement that in the first few minutes of the
search they will have acquired more data than in all the previously
conducted searches combined.
I have read articles on past attempts at funding this project; its
good to see that it will be conducted. Why wait to get started?
Several years ago I visited the Stanford VAX computer room that
receives the Arecibo (sp?) data. The person running the experient
said at the time that SETI data was what they were looking for.
Knowing that this experiment has been running for at least several
years, and probably at more than one place, makes the first statement
more impressive to me.
|
| 760.3 | | DECWIN::FISHER | I understand your concerns. Request denied. | Fri Oct 11 1991 13:48 | 2 |
| Not to mention the Planetary Society-supported SETI projects at Harvard MA and
in South America...they have been running continuously for years.
|
| 760.4 | How can anyone be against SETI | MAYDAY::ANDRADE | The sentinel (.)(.) | Sun Oct 13 1991 20:04 | 17 |
| Proving that Extra Terrestial life does not exist is impossible.
The most you can do, is state that you have not found it yet.
Thus any claims denying ETI are obviously so much hot air !!!!!!!
On the other hand its very easy to prove that it does exist, if
you find it.
But whether SETI projects are negative or positive in their findings,
they provide humanity a very valuable service. They tell us that if
ETI exists, it isn't where we have looked so far, or if they are they
are not doing the things we have searched for.
Also, and very important they give humanity an INSURANCE that if ETI is
out there, we will know about it ASAP. Failing to notice signs of ETI,
would be one of the biggest blunders in human history.
Gil
|
| 760.5 | re -1 | COMET::TROYER | | Mon Oct 14 1991 08:19 | 19 |
|
Their attitude is that ETI does not exist, at least not nearby.
If it were any different, i think they would have looked closer into the
possible evidence of previous ETI right next to us on Mars. i'm
Referring to the human face that should not be there and other possible
structures on the surface that have been photographed, cataloged, and
dismissed or ignored.
Readers of this note who have the opinion that it should only be
expressed in the UFO or some other conference just proves my point!
If NASA would do the research that independent scientists have, with an
OPEN mind, they may have to admit that they indeed have found something
other than just "trick of lighting" or other disclaimer.
Something indeed worth looking into.
john
|
| 760.6 | RE 760.5 | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon Oct 14 1991 16:02 | 10 |
| If you mean that NASA or some other space organization should
mount an expedition to check out the Mars "Face", yes, I agree it
would be worth it just for the exploration knowledge alone. But
your talk already implies that it *is* an alien artifact (i.e., a
face), and of that there is *no* proof one way or the other yet.
It could just as easily be a natural feature which we humans think
looks like a face.
Larry
|
| 760.7 | More on NASA SETI MOP | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon Oct 14 1991 20:45 | 74 |
| Article: 1708
From: [email protected] (DOUGLAS A. LEVY, UPI Science Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.interest,clari.news.top
Subject: ET, phone NASA
Date: 11 Oct 91 04:30:00 GMT
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- NASA officials are gearing up for what
they say will be the most comprehensive search ever for evidence of
intelligent life in outer space.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence or SETI project
involves a wide scan of the sky for energy emanating from other planets.
Scientists say there is some probability that if life exists in outer
space, some of that life could be creating detectable radio waves.
``Nature doesn't produce any signals like an AM radio
station,'' said NASA's Larry Webster, who is managing the targeted
search. ``On Earth, we are generating high energy pulses and sending
them out into space, and it is not unreasonable that other life forms
are doing the same thing.''
Using some of the largest radio telescopes around the world,
the project scientists will search the skies in the vicinity of stars
similar to Earth's Sun for signals in the 1,000 to 3,000 megahertz range.
A companion sky search, using telescopes in the northern and
southern hemispheres, will scan the entire sky up to 10,000 megahertz.
This wide scan is aimed at detecting signals from sources not targeted
by the higher intensity search.
The project is coordinated by researchers at the Ames Research
Center in Mountain View, California and at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, in Pasadena, California.
It will be officially kicked off next year on the 500th
anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America, October 12, 1992.
However, Webster believes the impact of any discovery by this new
project would be far greater.
``I don't think comparing the Columbus discovery of the
Americas is equivalent. That is a much smaller event. Man has been
wondering since he first looked up whether he is alone,'' he said.
``If we can see that affirmatively, it will have a tremendous
impact, '' said Webster, adding that NASA officials have considered
the potential cultural and religious implications if life in outer
space is detected.
``It's impact on religion is unknown but is probably quite
significant,'' he said. ``If we find something, then we will go to
great lengths to make sure it is real. Only once we know that will we
announce it,'' he said.
Scientists have increasingly supported the theory that complex
life has evolved on planets orbiting other stars in the universe and
that such life may be civilized, NASA said.
The SETI project will scan 750,000 cubic light years, which
accounts for only about 3-tenths of 1 percent of Earth's galaxy,
Webster said, but the project will be the biggest search for
extraterrestrial life ever conducted.
Because of the distance to other stars, any life detected
would almost have to be more advanced that humans. ``If they are 1,000
light years away, and they only started transmitting 500 years ago,
that information won't get to us yet,'' Webster said.
The telescopes will search up to 1,600 light years away.
``(The extraterrestrials) have to have been transmitting the
energy long enough, I have to be looking at them, and the energy (of
their signal) has to be strong enough'' in order for the SETI project
to detect other life forms, Webster said.
|
| 760.8 | | COMET::TROYER | | Thu Oct 17 1991 10:45 | 15 |
|
re .6
Larry,
i do not neccisarily think that it positively *is* an alien artifact
and i do agree that there is a chance of "natural" forces at work-
my belief about these forces and of aliens in general is pretty radical
anyway.
My point however is that NASA seems to have the attitude, also with no
proof, that the structures on Mars *are* just natural features.
Agree?
jOHN
|
| 760.9 | But we still have the "Man in the Moon" to gaze upon | ZENDIA::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Thu Oct 17 1991 11:03 | 6 |
| One of the files (space, ufos, physics) talked about the Face on Mars
report in the Weekly World News. It was expressed during this
dicussion that later probes have taken higher resolution pictures that
show that the face is just an artifact of blurry images and sun angle.
The area in question degrades to the generally familiar cratered
terrain on closer, better resolved inspection.
|
| 760.10 | Mar Explorer | HPSRAD::DZEKEVICH | | Thu Oct 17 1991 12:24 | 5 |
| I don't know about later propes, but I read that the Mar Explorer, when
launched, is going to survey the face area in more detail.
Joe
|
| 760.11 | RE 760.9-.10 | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Oct 17 1991 14:45 | 7 |
| What later probes? After the VIKING orbiters stopped transmitting
in the early 1980s there has only been PHOBOS 2, which arrived in early
1989 and did not image the area in question during its brief lifetime,
as far as I know.
Larry
|
| 760.12 | I don't have my reference material here but... | ZENDIA::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Thu Oct 17 1991 15:55 | 4 |
| I thought the original pictures were from back in the 1973 era (Mariner
series?)
My understanding was that is was Viking that took the "later" pictures.
|
| 760.13 | RE 760.12 | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Oct 17 1991 17:16 | 9 |
| No, the "Face" was unknown until VIKING 1 imaged it in 1976.
What I find amusing is that it is *very* small in the few images
taken of the site and had to be blown up considerably.
I still believe that we will have to look elsewhere for evidence
of alien life.
Larry
|
| 760.14 | Future Probe | HPSRAD::DZEKEVICH | | Fri Oct 18 1991 13:41 | 8 |
| I was talking about a future probe. After the face was discovered and
after all of the interest, NASA said that the future probe called Mars
Explorer, would take a better look at the area. In an earlier reply,
someone said that NASA wasn't going to look there or do anything, which
didn't mesh with what I heard, so I was just reporting what I read.
Joe
|
| 760.15 | | COMET::TROYER | | Mon Oct 21 1991 07:26 | 18 |
|
If it is true that they are going to put a high resolution camera on
board the Mars Explorer to be launched in ('92?), then that would mean
that Hoagand (the scientest that wrote the book) must have finaly got
through to NASA to do so. It was originally going to just have infrared
and other instraments on board.
As to the other replies, it was my understanding that all the pictures of
the area of the face were taken by the same probe. Some on different
obits with different lighting situations not only confirmed the
original infomation, but brought out more detail of the dark side of
the face! ie- there was no degridation of the image. On the dark side of
the face as well could be seen the hairline,other eye socket, etc.
NASA made light of this and never took Hoagland and his research
seriously. Maybe now they finally are.
jOHN
|
| 760.16 | Separating speculation from fact | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Oct 25 1991 19:18 | 24 |
| The following passage is quoted from AN INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY,
by Forest Ray Moulton, PhD, The MacMillan Company, New York, 1919.
Chapter 9, "The Planets", Section 174, "Explanations of the
Canals of Mars", page 288:
"It is a curious fact that those who know but little about
astronomy are nearly always very much interested in the question
whether other worlds are inhabited, while as a rule astronomers
who devote their whole lives to the subject scarcely give the
question of the habitability of other planets a thought. Astro-
nomers are doubtless influenced by the knowledge that such spec-
ulations can scarcely lead to certainty, and they are deeply
impressed by the fundamental laws which they find operating in
the Universe.
"Nevertheless, there seems to be no good reason why we should
not now and then consider the question of the existence of life,
not only on the other planets of the solar system, but also on the
millions of planets that possibly circulate around other suns. Such
speculations help to enlarge our mental horizon and to give us a
better perspective in contemplating the origin and destiny of the
human race, but we should never forget that they are speculations."
|
| 760.17 | SETI references | JVERNE::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Sun Nov 03 1991 16:08 | 163 |
| Article: 17981
From: [email protected] (James Salsman)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: SETI References from INSPEC
Date: 1 Nov 91 14:49:54 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Bovik Research Institute
Well, the basic SETI sourcebook is NASA Technical Paper 2244, and
an important article about some of the signal processing details
appeared in _SIAM_Review_ vol. 33, no. 3, about page 401. These
three looked interesting when I found them on INSPEC, so I thought
others might also be interested.
:James Salsman
::Aspiring Exopsychologist
:::Bovik Research Inst.
-----
1/3:
IDNUM 03569149
TYPE Conference paper
DATE 881031
AUTHOR Satorius, E.; Brady, R.
Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol.,
Pasadena, CA, USA
TITLE SETI signal processing
SOURCE Conference Record. Twenty-Second Asilomar Conference on Signals,
Systems and Computers (Cat. No.88CH2835-7); pp. 194-8 vol.1;
Pacific Grove, CA, USA; 31 Oct.-2 Nov. 1988
Sponsored by: Naval Postgraduate School; San Jose State Univ
San Jose, CA, USA; Maple Press; 1989; 2 vol. xviii+985 pp.
SUBJECT analogue-digital conversion; extraterrestrial life;
radioastronomical techniques; radiofrequency interference; signal
processing equipment; spectral analysers; A/D convertor; SETI
signal processing; system performance analysis; search for
extraterrestrial intelligence; front end; spectrum analyzer; signal
thresholding subsystems; narrowband signal; broadband noise
components; magnitude; density; digital precision; RFI; Sky Survey
System engineering development model
Class codes: A9575M; B7210X; B5230; B6360
ABSTRACT The authors present a system performance analysis of the SETI
(search for extraterrestrial intelligence) signal processing front
end (spectrum analyzer and signal thresholding subsystems) for a
general class of inputs comprised of narrowband signal,
interference, and broadband noise components. The goal of this
analysis is to quantify performance as a function of the magnitude
and density of the interference as well as the digital precision
(wordlengths) used to implement the front-end SETI processor. It is
suggested that the most critical result of the current analysis
with regard to system implementation may be the impact of RFI
(radio frequency interference) on the required resolution of the
A/D. Results presented for a specific RFI model environment suggest
that an 8-b A/D is not sufficient for implementing the Sky Survey
System engineering development model. However, further RFI surveys
suggest that the RFI model environment currently used in the
studies is not representative of a typical RFI environment
MISCELLANEOUS
Treatment: applications, experimental
Abstract number(s): A90030917; B90018417
U.S.Copyright Clearance Center Code: 22ACSSC-12/88/0194$01.00
Refs: 5
2/3:
IDNUM 03473020
TYPE Conference paper
DATE 870706
AUTHOR Heidmann, J.
Astron. Titulaire, Obs. de Paris, Meudon, France
TITLE Ten years of future search for extraterrestrial intelligence
SOURCE Annales de Physique; vol.14, no.2; April 1989; pp. 133-45
From Interstellar Matter to Biological Matter: Small Aggregates and
Prebiotic Molecules. Symposium; Strasbourg, France; 6-10 July 1987
LANGUAGE French
SUBJECT extraterrestrial life; pulsars; radioastronomical techniques;
radioastronomy; signal processing; spectral analysis; pulsars;
extraterrestrial life; radioastronomical technique; signal
processing; extraterrestrial intelligence; radioastronomy; radio
waves; information propagation; channels; spectral analysis; signal
recognition; SETI strategy
Class codes: A9590; A9760G; A9575M; B6360; B6140
CODEN ANPHAJ
ABSTRACT After a quarter century of breakthrough developments in
radioastronomy, space exploration and biology, the Search for Extra
Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) obtained the support of the
National Academies of the USA and of the USSR, of the International
Astronomical Union and, more tangibly, the financial support of
NASA. If other Beings have technical capabilities at least
comparable to ours it is possible to communicate over distances
larger than a thousand light-years, radio waves being the most
efficient vehicles for information propagation across interstellar
space. A million stars are then within reach but a formidable
problem is raised by the tremendous number of possible channels to
be investigated. The author reports on the most recent developments
made by NASA Extraterrestrial Research Division, concentrating on
the two main steps: spectral analysis and signal recognition. The
author also presents a new powerful SETI strategy based on pulsars.
Then the author sketches the interest of international
collaboration and presents a project of SETI observations with the
Nancay large radiotelescope in collaboration with NASA
MISCELLANEOUS
Treatment: general or review
Ann. Phys. (France)
Abstract number(s): A89123593; B89072019
ISSN: 0003-4169
Refs: 37
3/3:
IDNUM 03721115
TYPE Journal paper
DATE 900700
AUTHOR Harrison, A.A.; Elms, A.C.
California Univ., Davis, CA, USA
TITLE Psychology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence
SOURCE Behavioral Science; vol.35, no.3; July 1990; pp. 207-18
SUBJECT extraterrestrial life; psychology; psychology; cognitive aspects;
affective aspects; search for extraterrestrial intelligence; SETI;
exopsychology; behavioral aspects
Class codes: A9590; A8790; C1290P
CODEN BEHSAS
ABSTRACT Recent developments in the physical and biological sciences have
furthered the hypothesis that intelligent life forms exist outside
of the Solar System and have prompted a number of programs intended
to confirm such life forms' existence. The proposed field of
exopsychology would involve the forecast, study, and interpretation
of the cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects of
extraterrestrial organisms. Exopsychological research would
encompass search, contact, and post-contact activities, and would
include study and work with humans as well as with any
extraterrestrials that might be encountered. Exopsychologists can
learn from and facilitate the search process, gain an increased
understanding of animal and human behavior on Earth, and help
searchers, their sponsors, and the public in dealing with positive
or negative search outcomes
MISCELLANEOUS
Treatment: bibliography/literature survey, theoretical/mathematical
Behav. Sci. (USA)
Abstract number(s): A90135524; C90061751
ISSN: 0005-7940
Refs: 50
Article: 17982
From: [email protected] (James Salsman)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: NRAO News and Views
Date: 1 Nov 91 14:23:52 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Bovik Research Institute
----- This is from the NRAO/Green Bank RBBS
Site wide Meeting News
On Thursday, September 19, Dr. Seielstad called a meeting to discuss
recent developments at the Green Bank Observatory. As you know, the
GBT and Orbiting VLBI are new projects that have given the Observatory
an exciting future in Radio Astronomy. Other projects are also in the
works some of which are directly related to the GBT and some which are
not. Of note:
-- Negotiations are underway between NASA and the Observatory for use
of the 140-foot telescope as a long term dedicated SETI scope.
|
| 760.18 | Red tape does get everywhere | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon Jan 06 1992 13:08 | 103 |
| Article: 19290
From: [email protected] (Don Allen)
Newsgroups: sci.astro,sci.skeptic,alt.alien.visitors
Subject: ET to phone Home under new UN Guidelines
Date: 3 Jan 92 16:01:56 GMT
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL
Laugh if you will, but this is soon to be a reality:
---Begin included Text-----------------------------------------
Date: 12-29-91 21:00
From: Sandy Barbre
Found this in this Sunday's paper!
From The Daily Telegraph of London:
If signs of life on other planets are ever detected, the news
will not reach the mass of mankind until a complicated process of
verification and approval is thoroughly exhausted. Under a set of
guidelines drawn up by the world's scientists, the news must pass
through a secret and Byzantine notification process before being
announced by the United Nations. The Declaration of Principles
Concerning Activites Following the Detection of Extra-Terrestrial
Intelligence was thrashed out by the International Academy of
Astronautics in Buenos Aires.
The first thing the radio-astronomer must do is to record the alien
signals, then contact other scientists worldwide to verify them.
Then follows an approach to the International Astronomical Union,
which will send out an official notification through the Central
Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.
After that, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the
Institute for Space Law, and the International Telecommunications
Union Will also be told. The latter will ensure that the alien signal
is cleared of all earthly radio traffic so it comes over loud and
clear. Only then will the rest of the human race be privy to the news
that ET may, after all exist.
--End of article--
Don
--
-* Don Allen *- // Only | Are you ready for SETI?
Internet: [email protected] \X/ Amiga | Oct 12,1992 - ET comes to NM
UUCP: .........uunet!peora!bilver!dona | The *real* "October Surprise"
Psi-Tech and alien brain-wave research -- Whats going on at Los Alamos?
Article: 19321
From: [email protected] (Wayne Hayes)
Newsgroups: sci.astro,sci.skeptic,alt.alien.visitors
Subject: Re: ET to phone Home under new UN Guidelines
Date: 6 Jan 92 02:19:19 GMT
[email protected] (Don Allen) writes:
> If signs of life on other planets are ever detected, the news will not
>reach the mass of mankind until a complicated process of verification and
>approval is thoroughly exhausted. Under a set of guidelines drawn up by the
>world's scientists, the news must pass through a secret and Byzantine
>notification process before being announced by the United Nations...
> The first thing the radio-astronomer must do is to record the alien
>signals, then contact other scientists worldwide to verify them.
> Then follows an approach to the International Astronomical Union, which
>will send out an official notification through the Central Bureau for
>Astronomical Telegrams.
> After that, the Secretary General of the United Nations,
Why is this laughable? First, I strongly doubt that the directive
will explicitly state the discovery must be kept secret until this
process is completed. If it does you can be sure there are scientists
who would make their own decisions of the validity of the evidence and
would act in a way they think right. Secondly this process is not
"byzantine"; it is quite simple, and not including the UN Secretary
General part, is quite normal for astronomical discoveries. Don't
forget professional astronomers have telephones, computers, FAXes, and
more, to quickly relay information. I'm sure something of this
magnitude would get through the grapevine and be either explained (ie.
refuted) or verified as unknown and/or decoded within 24 hours. You
can be sure that once the "official" announcement by the UN SG was
made, the news would already be public.
>the Institute for
>Space Law, and the International Telecommunications Union Will also be told.
>The latter will ensure that the alien signal is cleared of all earthly radio
>traffic so it comes over loud and clear.
Now *that's* a good idea.
>Only then will the rest of the
>human race be privy to the news that ET may, after all exist.
Bullpucky. Typical news story ending with a sensationalist statement
meant to sell newspapers.
--
"... when men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures
from Alpha Centauri where *real* small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri..."
- Douglas Adams, _The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy_.
Wayne Hayes INTERNET: [email protected] CompuServe: 72401,3525
|
| 760.19 | Bob Dixon on SETI Detection Protocol | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Jan 09 1992 10:44 | 74 |
| Article: 19388
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: ET Phone Home
Date: 8 Jan 92 16:16:10 GMT
Sender: Bob Dixon <[email protected]>
Organization: The Ohio State University
I'm afraid this story has gotten rather distorted.
There is in fact a SETI Detection Protocol, and as one of the
scientists involved in SETI, let me assure you that I strongly support
it. However, the partial information provided and speculated upon here
is by no means the whole story. I do not have a computer-readable
version of the protocol to post here for you, and it has gone thru
several revisions in any case.
The primary purpose of the protocol (in my opinion) is to prevent
false alarms. It is terribly damaging to science in general to have
false alarms about any new discovery. It is far more important to
publicize CORRECT information thru normal scientific channels than to
make hurried announcements in the mass media, particularly when they
are of great importance and hence will be subject to great media hype.
The protocol says that if I discover something I think is ET, the
first thing I will do is make darn sure my equipment is working right,
that there has been no hoax by my staff or others etc. Then I will
contact my colleagues at other observatories and ask them to check it
out with their equipment, to make doubly sure this is not some fluke
of equipment. Is this not just common sense?
Once we collectively agree that there is really something there, the
most critical thing is to learn more about it as quickly as possible.
What if it were to turn off, never to be heard from again? Hence we
must get all possible observatories to monitor and record the signal
as quickly as possible. This means the announcement must be sent out
via such means as the Smithsonian telegrams, etc. to reach the
scientific community. At that stage it is irrelevant and in fact
harmful to notify the mass media because they will just swamp all
involved scientists with inquiries and in fact get in the way and
divert effort from the important issue of studying the signal.
Then when we collectively have a better understanding of what is
really going on with the signal, and proper monitoring is in place, it
is time to publish the results in the scientific literature and to
make a public announcement.
There is no beaurocracy or compulsion implied anywhere here. I could
of course make any announcement I want to at any time. But as a
scientist I will not do so, and I don't believe any serious SETI
scientist will either.
In fact, the protocol ensures that the announcement WILL be made, and
that it will not be suppressed by some military or other agency who
might think the discovery has strategic value and hence must be
classified. Any agency or person who would want to exercise such
censorship must now speak out publically against the protocol, or else
any individual involved in SETI can cite the protocol in any action
that might be later taken against them by their superior for following
the protocol.
But there is a deeper meaning to the protocol that is unstated. It
means that the scientific and political worlds (including the United
Nations) have at last taken the possibility of life outside the Earth
sufficiently seriously that they are doing something about it. The
mere existence of the protocol document, and its wide adoption, means
that our civilization has reached another milestone in its maturity
from a fragmented collection of countries toward a global entity able
to look outward rather than inward.
Bob Dixon
Director, SETI Program
Ohio State University
|
| 760.20 | RE 760.19 | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Jan 10 1992 16:47 | 94 |
| Article: 19397
From: [email protected] (Ed Turner)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: ET Phone Home
Date: 9 Jan 92 05:00:40 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (USENET News System)
Organization: Princeton University
Bob Dixon described the logic and justification for the SETI protocol
pretty clearly, and I'd say it is sensible. I'd also say that it is
pretty irrelevant. Most of the steps it envisages are simply those
that common sense would (and does) lead people to take in following up
almost any surprising new discovery, including things much less
dramatic than an even half way creditable SETI detection.
In practice these days, the news would almost certainly become widely
and very quickly disseminated in the astronommical community by email
as soon as it got out of the small group involved in the initial
detection. Again, this is just what happens now with exciting, but far
less dramatic news. This would be likely to beat the IAU telegrams by
a wide margin. You, gentle reader, would probably see it within a day
or less as a posting in this group, at least in the form of a "say,
has anyone else heard anything about ..." messages.
The media could also be expected to pick up the scent almost as soon
as the news spread widely among astronomers. This is because many
science journalists maintain reasonably close contacts with a few
scientists in many different disciplines just as way of "keeping their
ears to the ground". (E.g., I have a close friend who is a free lance
science writer who has done work for major newspapers and a social
acquaintance/friendship with the science editor of Time magazine; I
routinely let them know when I hear about something which strikes me
as potentially newsworthy.) Of course, this does not mean that the
media would instantly "go public" with the story as they also
routinely take precautions to try to verify and confirm stories,
especially really spectacular ones. They walk a tight rope between
trying not to get scooped on major stories by the competition on the
one hand and not getting egg on their faces by breaking stories which
later "collapse" (if I have their jargon right?) on the other.
Probably the main thing which would slow the spread of such news is
the skeptical attitude with which most scientists (and journalists)
would regard it. All realize that if we ever hear such a report, it
is far more likely to be a false alarm (due to honest error or hoax)
than the real thing.
Ed Turner
Princeton University Observatory
Article: 19399
From: [email protected] (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: sci.astro,sci.skeptic,alt.alien.visitors
Subject: Re: ET to phone Home under new UN Guidelines
Date: 9 Jan 92 05:25:04 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field/Planetary Camera
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Alan Filipski) writes:
[More or less accurate description for protocol following apparent success of
SETI deleted]
>This sounds like a bureaucratic fantasy. What stops the first
>astronomer from holding a press conference or any of the "other
>scientists worldwide" from telling their acquaintences?
The same thing that should have prevented Pons and Fleischmann from
holding THEIR press conference: Unwillingness to risk having his
career ruined. There have been false alarms in the past: Signals
from "lost" space probes, pulsars, etc. Making a mistake is perfectly
acceptable within the scientific community; announcing the results
such a mistake as if they were facts to the world at large is a
cardinal sin.
>The bureaucracy might provide "official verification", for what that's worth,
>but certainly not "news" to the world.
If a scientist discovers what he thinks is evidence of ETI and reports
it through proper channels, then if it's verified, he still gets full
credit for the discovery. If it later turns out that, despite
verification, it was a false alarm, the blame gets spread out over
everyone involved in the verification. If he DOESN'T go through
channels, he might get the benefit of being able to announce his
"discovery" a few days earlier than if he had gone through channels,
but if he's mistaken, all the blame accrues to him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: [email protected] | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL
Disclaimer: Hey, I understand VAXes and VMS. That's what I get paid
for. My understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or
below). So unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS,
don't hold me or my organization responsible for it. If it IS related
to VAX/VMS, you can try to hold me responsible for it, but my
organization had nothing to do with it.
|
| 760.21 | Joan Zyda, handled NASA SETI press coverage | VERGA::KLAES | Slaves to the Metal Hordes | Mon Aug 03 1992 17:00 | 34 |
| From: DECWRL::"[email protected]" 3-AUG-1992
15:56:38.56
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: Joan Zyda
Joan Zyda, public information specialist at JPL, died
unexpectedly on Friday, July 31.
Zyda joined JPL in June 1990 and assumed responsibility for press
coverage of NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
project. She also covered JPL's All Source Analysis System (ASAS)
project, a computerized battlefield intelligence system developed by
JPL for the Army, and was later named editor of the Lab's employee
newspaper, Universe.
Zyda was an award-winning journalist and worked on such papers as
the Los Angeles Times, Denver Post and Chicago Tribune. Most recently,
she had been a wire and local page editor on the Pasadena Star-News
before joining JPL.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made
to the Joan Zyda Memorial Journalism Fund, UCLA Extension Journalism
Program, 10995 Le Conte Avenue, Room 731, Los Angeles, Calif., 90024,
ATTN: Dr. Barry Bortnick.
#####
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ M/S 525-3684 Telos | You can't hide brocolli in
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | a glass of milk -
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ | anonymous 7-year old.
|
| 760.22 | Jupiter's Arrow | VERGA::KLAES | Slaves to the Metal Hordes | Thu Aug 20 1992 15:37 | 130 |
| Article: 25721
From: [email protected] (Jeff Bytof)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Jupiter's Arrow: An Economical SETI Strategy
Date: 20 Aug 1992 15:45:41 GMT
Organization: sio
JUPITER'S ARROW: AN ECONOMICAL STRATEGY FOR INITIATING
INTERSTELLAR COMMUNICATION
Jeff Bytof
University of California, San Diego
Mail Code 0230
La Jolla, CA 92093
Abstract:
A strategy is outlined that allows the effort expended by a
civilization seeking to establish interstellar communication
with us to be minimized. The method uses a time reference
based on the orbital motion of Jupiter to coordinate signal
transmission, acquisition and acknowledgement.
Signals beamed at Earth from another technological
civilization may not be "on" continuously. This is because
of the understandable need to minimize the cost of a project
that has no guarantee of success (1). However, intermittent
signaling presents a difficulty if we do not know the
sender's schedule, or are not observing the sky
omnidirectionally (2).
If brief, infrequent yet periodic incoming signals are
assumed to be coordinated with a cyclical process observable
by both the sender and receiver, a matching search strategy
can be formulated. Possible timing mechanisms of interest
suitable for signal coordination have been discussed (3).
It has also been proposed that the Sun and Jupiter, the
largest and most visible objects in our Solar System, be
employed as a likely timing method (4). In this report, a
technique is outlined utilizing the Sun-Jupiter timing
system to minimize the efforts of sender and receiver by
coordinating the transmission, receipt and acknowledgement
of a signal sent to us for the purpose of establishing
contact.
As seen from the center of our Solar System, Jupiter,
as a result of its orbital motion around the Sun, achieves
minimum angular separation from each star once every 11.86
years. Figure 1 shows where the loci of minimum separations
project on our sky as a function of year. By this strategy,
signals would be timed to arrive here when Jupiter was
closest to a sender's direction as viewed heliocentrically.
Our task as listeners is to look in the potential sender's
direction for a brief period at the time of his star's
minimum heliocentric separation with Jupiter. Hence, the
Sun-Jupiter vector acts as an obvious indicator or "arrow"
towards the set of directions we should search.
For the sender to properly "navigate" signals to us,
he must make telescopic observations to determine the
distance to our Solar System and be able to calculate the
future position of Jupiter to a desired level of accuracy.
The sender must also estimate the probable error in the
arrival time of the signal, because this determines the
minimum message duration that will result in a high
probability of being received by us at the time we might be
expected to be looking for it.
It is likely that a sender of a message across
interstellar space would be interested in receiving a
meaningful and appropriately timed reply. The message we
receive may contain instructions for us to transmit an
acknowledgement at a specific moment, corrected for his
timing errors. If our acknowledgement is sent properly, it
would arrive at the sender's receiver within a pre-planned
time window, thus dramatically reducing the amount of
dedicated instrument time that he needs to spend checking
for replies from our direction.
As defined, the "Jupiter's Arrow" strategy requires
the sender to make only one transmission and reply check in
our direction every 11.86 years. Any increase in the
quality of his knowledge of the distance and dynamics of our
Solar System would further reduce arrival-time error,
thereby minimizing the duration of transmission and
monitoring periods, freeing the sender to use his
instruments for other tasks almost all of the time.
As searchers adhering to the Jupiter's Arrow strategy,
we need to examine each direction at the proper time only
once, given that a sender is actually transmitting with the
strategy and we are using a receiver with the correct
frequency and adequate sensitivity. Missed signals would
repeat every 11.86 years, ensuring that even a search making
a small number of observations per year would eventually
succeed.
REFERENCES AND NOTES
1. S. von Hoerner, Science 134, 1839 (1961).
2. J. Pfleiderer, AIAA Progress in Aeronautics and
Astronautics 110, 305 (1988); R. H. Gray, Journal of the
British Interplanetary Society 43, 531 (1990).
3. Objects proposed for timers include supernovae, variable
stars and double stars [W. I. McLaughlin, Icarus 32, 464
(1977); G. W. Pace and J. C. G. Walker, Nature 254, 400
(1975); T. B. Tang, Journal of the British Interplanetary
Society 29, 469 (1976)].
4. C. E. Singer, Cosmic Search 4, 22 (1982).
5. I thank Andrew Buffington, Stanley Miller, David Newton,
Alan Schneider, Woodruff Sullivan and Jill Tarter for
helpful discussions.
* * *
Fig. 1. Isochrones of minimum heliocentric Jupiter-star angular
separation projected on our sky. A planetary ephemeris was
used to determine the time of Jupiter's minimum separation
with each star. The times of minimum separation are summarized
by search curves for January 1st of each year from 1992 to 2002.
Circles represent stars brighter than magnitude 4.5.
I will US mail a copy of the manuscript and figure to any requestor.
- Jeff Bytof
|
| 760.23 | | CXDOCS::TAVARES | John-Stay low, keep moving | Fri Aug 21 1992 11:19 | 2 |
| This guy's nuttier than a fruitcake. Too much time in the Ivory
Tower, methinks.
|
| 760.25 | | DECWIN::FISHER | I *hate* questionnaires--Worf | Fri Aug 21 1992 13:33 | 22 |
| I would not go quite so far as .23, but I can think of a couple problems with
this idea:
1) It assumes a signal aimed specifically at us, and with a fair amount of
research being done ahead of time on us.
2) It assumes that Jupiter is visible from the sending location. As I recall,
there is still some controversy over whether we have actually observed a (or
some) large bodies orbiting around a relatively close star like Barnard's. One
could assume a higher technological level, of course, but it still reduces by
a large amount the sphere in which a sender could reside.
3) It seems far less clearcut that "the watering hole" frequency that we are
assuming senders will use. I'm sure there are a number of possibilities. Why
not take Jupiter at the max position rather than min? If they can receive random
tv etc from us, use dopler to choose the min angle between US and them. Or
base it on min/max velocity toward them. Or min/max sunspot activity. Or
something based on a pulsar that we both can see.
It's just too many assumptions for me to believe too seriously.
Burns
|
| 760.26 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Aug 21 1992 14:36 | 12 |
| My only thought was a reminder from one of those Star Trek movies:
Spock: "He seems to exhibiting two dimensional thinking".
Max and min positions may mean something for those stars whose position
is projected from the ecliptic -- but a greater number of stars lie outside
(e.g. toward the solar poles, etc.).
[Pardon the weak terminology -- I hope the idea gets across...]
- dave
|
| 760.27 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | | Tue Sep 01 1992 01:10 | 65 |
| re .25
>1) It assumes a signal aimed specifically at us, and with a fair amount of
>research being done ahead of time on us.
As always with SETI one gets into speculations but...turn it round the
other way. Are we not actively studying nearby stars and specifically
attempting to detect evidence of planets?
>2) It assumes that Jupiter is visible from the sending location.
This is certainly a stumbling block for *us*. Not only does one have to
detect a planetary body but one has to be able to measure its angular
separation from the relevant star with sufficient accuracy to identify
the minimum.
Not explicitly pointed out in .22 was that the error in known value for
distance to Sol must be smallish relative to Jupiter's period. If our
putative alien civilsation knows the distance to Sol to an accuracy of
�2 light years then they have to transmit/receive for two years either
side of when they think they have to start doing so to hit the
'window' when Jupiter's Arrow is pointing at them. Once the error in
distance spans the whole of Jupiter's period then they would have to
transmit/receive continuously which defeats the whole idea. Presumably
then this gives an upper bound on the distance out to which this idea
is practical (dependent of course on the level of technology).
>Why not take Jupiter at the max position rather than min?
For human thought processes it is obvious why the min. is used - that's
when the arrow points at you*. However it is highly speculative to suggest
that another species would visualise the situation in a way that would
lead to the same conclusion.
*Just to throw a spanner into the works of my own argument, it looks to
me as if the actual minimum occurs when the arrow points away from you,
with a second (local) minimum greater than the global minimum that occurs
half Jupiter's period later (when the arrow points towards you) - and two
equal maxima between the minima.
>If they can receive random tv etc from us, use dopler
With our current technology a Doppler approach would be much easier.
> Or something based on a pulsar that we both can see.
I don't think that works. Apart from the lack of a really obvious
pulsar to use etc. the pulsar doesn't provide a clue to the receiver as
to when the transmitter will be sending in the receiver's direction or
vice versa. A planetary system needs an 'arrow' that is obviously associated
with itself to any outside observer i.e. potential transmitter or
receiver.
re .26
>Max and min positions may mean something for those stars whose position
>is projected from the ecliptic -- but a greater number of stars lie outside
>(e.g. toward the solar poles, etc.).
Not really. In fact this scheme breaks down for stars too close to the
solar pole (since there is then almost no variation in Jupiter's
angular separation from the sun) and for stars too close to Jupiter's
orbital plane (since there are two equal minima). For the vast majority of
stars then if civilisations there really could measure Jupiter's
angular separation, they could transmit/receive on schedule.
|
| 760.28 | NASA readies its SETI program | VERGA::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon Sep 28 1992 12:29 | 33 |
| From: DECWRL::"[email protected]" "Peter E. Yee" 25-SEP-1992
15:38:42.47
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: Search for inhabitable planets to begin [NTE 92-84] (Forwarded)
Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 23, 1992
(Phone: 202/358-1547)
N92-84
EDITORS NOTE: SEARCH FOR INHABITABLE PLANETS TO BEGIN
The NASA program Toward Other Planetary Systems will begin a
microwave search for other inhabitable planets on Oct. 12, 1992.
News media wishing to cover either the sky survey at
Goldstone, Calif., or the targeted search at Arecibo, Puerto Rico,
should contact the following public affairs officers:
For Goldstone -- Mary Hardin
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Phone: 818/354-5011)
For Arecibo -- Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
(Phone: 415/604-9000)
Because of limited parking, use of private vehicles at both
sites will be restricted. Chartered buses will be available at both
locations to transport reporters.
|
| 760.29 | HRMS Press Kit | VERGA::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Oct 02 1992 18:02 | 276 |
| Article: 26995
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Subject: HRMS Press Kit
Sender: [email protected] (Usenet)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 00:57:16 GMT
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
HIGH RESOLUTION MICROWAVE SURVEY (HRMS)
PRESS KIT
OCTOBER 1992
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS
NASA HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Office of Space Science and Applications
Michael Braukus
(Phone: 202/358-1547)
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
Michael Mewhinney
(Phone: 415/604-9000)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Mary Hardin
(Phone: 818/354-5011)
CONTENTS
General
Release 1
Media Services Information 3
Quick-Look Facts. 4
Project History 5
Project Objectives 6
Targeted Search 7
Sky Survey 9
Signal Detection Plans 10
Project Management. 11
RELEASE: 92-161
NASA TO BEGIN SEARCH FOR INHABITED PLANETS
On Oct. 12, NASA will begin the most comprehensive search ever
conducted for evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe.
The search will use telescopes and antennas to detect radio
transmissions from other planetary systems. The search will
commence 500 years after Columbus landed in North America.
"In the first few minutes, more searching will be
accomplished than in all previous searches combined," according
to Dr. John Billingham of NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain
View, Calif.
"Over the past few decades, " Billingham added, "scientific
opinion has increasingly supported the theory that complex life
may have evolved on planets orbiting other stars in the galaxy
and the universe. In some cases, further evolution may have led to
the emergence of intelligence, culture and technology."
Billingham, the program chief at Ames, said the High
Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) consists of two parts -- a
Targeted Search and a Sky Survey.
The Targeted Search will use the largest available radio
telescopes around the world to search the frequency range from
1,000 to 3,000 megahertz, seeking a variety of patterns that may
indicate the presence of an artificially generated signal. A
megahertz is a unit of frequency equal to one million cycles per
second.
The Targeted Search will perform the most sensitive search
ever conducted of solar-type stars less than 100 light-years
distant. The Targeted Search begins from the world's largest
radio telescope at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center's
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. It is operated for the
National Science Foundation by Cornell University.
The Sky Survey will use the 34-meter antennas at NASA's Deep
Space Network sites in the northern and southern hemispheres to
scan the entire sky over the frequency range from 1,000 to 10,000
megahertz. The Sky Survey begins at the Goldstone, Calif., site.
"Because of the large increase in the area of sky and
frequencies covered, a signal will have to be stronger to be
detected by the Sky Survey," Billingham said. "But it could
detect signals emitted in distant regions from directions that
would be overlooked if the search were limited to nearby solar-
type stars," he added.
Both elements of the HRMS are using specially developed
digital signal processing systems capable of simultaneously
analyzing tens of millions of radio frequency channels.
The HRMS is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center, which
also is responsible for the Targeted Search project. The Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., is responsible for the
Sky Survey.
The HRMS is part of NASA's Toward Other Planetary Systems
program in the Solar System Exploration Division, Office of Space
Science and Applications at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
- end -
MEDIA SERVICES INFORMATION
NASA Select Television Transmissint on Oct. 12, 1992. Video footage of
the HRMS deployment will be taken for documentary and archival purposes.
Media Coverage
Those interested in attending the initial deployment at Arecibo
on Oct. 12, contact Michael Mewhinney at NASA Ames Research Center by
calling 415/604-9000. Those wishing to attend the initial deployment
at Goldstone, Calif., contact Mary Hardin at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory by calling 818/354-5011. Because of limited parking, use of
private vehicles at both sites will be restricted. Buses will be
available at both locations to transport reporters. Reportt the press
desks at either the Holiday Inn, Barstow, Calif., or the Hyatt Dorado
Beach Hotel, Dorado, Puerto Rico, for transportation and admissionhis
telescope is operated for the National Science Foundation by Cornell
University. The new 34-meter (112- foot diameter) antenna at NASA's
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex near Barstow, Calif., will
be used for the Sky Survey.
Time of Deployment: Targeted Search at 3 p.m. EDT, Arecibo,
Puerto Rico; Sky Survey at noon PDT, Goldstone, Calif.
Project Duration: Expected to last until about 2001.
PROJECT HISTORY
The Earth is the only location known to harbor life. But as
knowledge of the nature of lhere may, in the long run, be one of
science's most important and most profound contributions to mankind
and to our civilization." Also in 1972, NASA published its first
report describing how NASA-developed technology could make such a
search possible.
In the years between 1972 and 1988, NASA maintained a low-level
research and development activity that resulted in the initiation of
the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Microwave Observing
Project (MOP) in FY 1989.
In 1992, NASA established the High Resolution Microwave Survey
(HRMS) as part of the Toward Other Planetary Systems (TOPS) program
within NASA's Solar System Exploration Division.
The Sky Survey (scanning the entire sky for strong signals coming
from any direction) will begin observations at noon PDT using a
34-meter antenna at NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
near Barstow, Calif.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The detection and characterization of planetary systems around
other stars is the goal of NASA's Toward Other Planetary Systems
(TOPS) program. Earth's solar system is still the only known example
of a planetary system, and Earth is the only known planet that
sustains life. Recent astrophysical observations suggest the
existence of other planetary systems around distant stars. The
existence of these systems could support the hypothesis that lifts
TOPS program to include a new project called the High Resolution
Microwave Survey (HRMS). The project will observe the microwave
region of the electromagnetic spectrum in a manner that can detect
signals produced by a distant technology.
Potentially, there are billions of solar systems in the Milky Way
galaxy at tremendous distances from Ear provide for an expanded
comparative study of the universe.
TARGETED SEARCH
Scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center will conduct the
Targeted Search portion of the HRMS.
The Targeted Search will examine 1,000 nearby solar-type stars
within 100 light years distance from Earth (one light year is
approximately 5.9 trillion miles). The objective is to test the
hypothesis that extraterrestrial technologies are transmitting radio
signals whose characteristics are greatly different from natural
sources of radio emissile sensitivity, the largest available radio
telescopes will be used to conduct the Targeted Search. The number of
targets covered will be much larger than previous searches, and the
range of frequencies covered will be thousands of times greater than
all previous searches combined.
To accomplish this, specialized digital signal processing
equipment has been constructed to listen for microwave radio
transmissions reaching the Earth from distant planetary systems.
The specialized digital signal processing equipment will
simultaneously study the radio spectrum over tens of millions of
individual frequency channels, at spectral resolutions ranging from 1,
2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 helses, a likely form of interstellar transmission.
An automatic data analysis subsystem will be used to detect the
presence of fixed frequency or drifting continuous wave (CW) signals
or sequences of regularly spaced pulses.
The Targeted Search will use the National Science Foundation's
National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center's 305-meter (1,000-ft)
diameter radio telescope located at the Arecibo Observatory near
Arecibo, Puerto Rico, for the initial deployment of the HRMS on Oct.
12, 1992. Theng very large observations of each target at each
frequency. It will serve as the logistical hub of the HRMS Targeted
Search. Over the next 3 years, three more such systems will be built
and packaged into two mobile research facility trailers for air
transport to the observation sites.
SKY SURVEY
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will
conduct the Sky Survey portion of NASA's HRMS to search for radio
signals from other planetary systems. The Sky Survey will scan all
directions of the sky to cover a wide range of frequencies from 1,000
to 10,000 megahertz.
NASA's HRMS will conduct a comprehensive, systematic search of a
portion of the microwave radio spectrum to detect evidence of radio
transmissions from other planetary systems. An intentionally
transmitted signal is easiest to detect in a frequency band where the
background radio noise or static is minimal. One of the quietest
frequency bands is the "microwave window," which lies between 1,000
and 10,000 megahertz. Since thstic of microwave ally mapping small
areas of the sky, called sky frames. As the observations are
completed, over the entire sky. For each of 31 frequency bands, the
sky is divided into sevplex of NASA's Deep Space Network in
California's Mojave Desert. Toward the latter part of the survey, the
search will move to a The prototype receiver, spectrum analyzer and
signal processor will break up incomiwith 40 megahertz total bandwidth
or a dual polarization mode with 20 megahertz total bandwidth.
Specially designed digital hardware, operating at supercomputer
speeds, will simultaneously process the 2 million channels to identify
and separate intersterch organizations.
After the discovery has been verified, national and international
authorities are to be informed. News of the confirmed discovery then
will be disseminated promptly, openly and widely through scientific
channels and the news media. All data necessary for the confirmation
of the detection will be made available to the international
scientific community through publications, meetings, conferences and
other appropriate means.
No response to any confirmed signal will be sent from Earth until
appropriate international consultations have occurred.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Wesley Huntress Director, Solar System Exploration Division
Dr. Nicholas Renzetti Manager, Telecommunications and Data Acquisition
Science Complex
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
Dr. Michael J. Klein JPL SETI Project Manager and HRMS Sky Survey Manager
Dr. Samuel Gulkis HRMS Deputy Project Scientist
J. Richard Kolden HRMS Sky Survey Implementation Manager
Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico
Dr. Daniel Altschuler Director
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ M/S 525-3684 Telos | Einstein's brain is stored
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | in a mason jar in a lab
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ | in Wichita, Kansas.
|
| 760.30 | Some NASA HRMS (SETI) Parameters | VERGA::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Oct 09 1992 14:57 | 93 |
| Article: 27195
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Edward T. Olsen)
Subject: HRMS/SETI Answers
Sender: [email protected] (Usenet)
Organization: HRMS Sky Survey, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 14:55:36 GMT
In response to David Harwood's direct questions in
<[email protected]>:
<Is NASA/HRMS going to investigate any previously detected signals, which
<it considers might possibly have been of ETI origin? Does NASA say that no
<such candidate ETI signals have been detected so far? (We all now that
<HRMS is beginning soon, but there have been previous surveys of far less
<scope.)
1) NO. There are no believable previously detected signals.
2) YES. NASA says that no such candidate ETI signals have been
detected so far.
The NASA HRMS has no secret list of signals from previous searches.
The NASA HRMS will search in two modes: (1) a moderate sensitivity all
sky survey over the microwave spectrum between 1 GHz and 10 GHz at 20
Hz resolution, and (2) a high sensitivity targeted search of all solar
type stars within 25 pc (there are nearly 800) over the microwave
spectrum between 1 GHz and 3 GHz at 1 Hz resolution.
The all sky survey must sweep the sky at high speed (about 0.2
deg/sec) to complete the survey within a 7 year period. Thus each beam
area on the sky will be looked at for a small period of time (of the
order of 1 second). The targeted search will dwell on each of the
chosen stars for up to 1,000 seconds.
All previous surveys have had "hits", meaning signals above a preset
threshold. The HRMS Sky Survey component will set an initial
detection threshold which will have a PFA (probability of false alarm,
i.e., threshold exceedence due to thermal noise fluctuations in the
instrument) of approximately 10**-5. In the case of the prototype
system which will be in the field at Goldstone, CA, which contains
2**21 channels and which will apply that threshold to the spectral
data every 0.1 second, this means approximately 200 hits/second.
Follow-on signal detection algorithms will further winnow the data to
a PFA of 10**-10 to 10**-12 to provide lists for immediate look back
observations.
IT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT ANY ETI SIGNAL DETECTION BE REOBSERVABLE, NOT
ONLY WITH THE NASA HRMS SEARCH SYSTEMS, BUT ALSO BY SIMPLE
CONFIRMATION SYSTEMS. THIS REQUIREMENT FOR REOBSERVABILITY IS CRUCIAL
AND ALL PREVIOUS SEARCH "CANDIDATES" HAVE FAILED TO MEET IT.
<Is HRMS capable of detecting signals of power equivalent to
<terrestial broadcasts (different frequencies) at distances of say 50
<light years or so?
YES or NO, depending upon which mode of NASA HRMS you are considering,
and more importantly, what terrestrial signals you choose to include
in your list of broadcast signals.
Neither component is capable of detecting the leakage of our
commercial broadcasts at interstellar distances. However, there have
been highly beamed, strong signals emitted from Earth which both
components are capable of detecting. The strongest signal emitted from
Earth is the Arecibo planetary radar, EIRP = 10**13 W. The strongest
commercial broadcasts eminate from UHF television stations, and have
EIRP = 10**6 W to 10**7 W. The sky survey could detect Arecibo at
approximately 50 ly, and the targeted search could do so at
approximately 1,000 ly.
The strong military radars which have been used over the last decades
to detect possible bomber attacks and ICBM attacks are another source
of signals which HRMS could detect from nearby stars. Woody Sullivan
published an interesting article some time back in Science which
discussed this (Science, 199, pp377-388, 27 Jan 1978). Tarter and
Billingham also gave a paper at the 40th Congress of the International
Astronautical Federation in 1989, whose publication reference escapes
me at this moment. These radars have EIRP levels of approximately
10**11 W. There is a torus around the north pole which has been
illuminated thusly for a few decades. Any advanced civilization within
20 ly within that torus would have been able to determine not only
that our solar system is inhabited by intelligences using the
electromagnetic spectrum, but would also have been able to determine
the parameters of our planetary orbit and rotation, our Sun's mass and
infer the temperature of Earth.
Edward Olsen
HRMS
--
Edward T. Olsen
Mail Stop 169-506, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109
Phone: (818)-354-7604 INTERNET: [email protected] (Node: 128.149.82.1)
|
| 760.31 | NASA HRMS/SETI begins today | VERGA::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon Oct 12 1992 12:42 | 82 |
| Article: 2762
From: [email protected] (UPI)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.gov.agency,clari.news.interest
Subject: Search begins for extraterrestrial intelligence
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 92 21:18:52 PDT
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Radio receivers in California and Puerto
Rico were primed Monday to begin the most comprehensive search of the
universe for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence.
NASA timed the commencement of the program to coincide with
the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America.
The 10-year, $100-million NASA-managed program, which has
weathered criticism as an unscientific waste of taxpayer money, will
probe for the faintest of radio signals sent purposefully or
accidentally by intelligent beings on other planets.
NASA recently changed the name of the project from the
provocative ``Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence,'' or SETI, to
the more mundane ``High Resolution Microwave Survey,'' or HRMS, in
part because SETI had taken on negative connotations.
``The connotation...was something that was looking for little
green men, that sort of thing,'' said Gary Coulter, the program's
manager. ``The connotation was that this can't be good, solid,
legitimate science and engineering.''
Coulter noted that the long-planned effort had been endorsed
by the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.
Famed Cornell University Astronomer Carl Sagan praised the effort.
``For us to have the capability to seek out other
civilizations in space and not to do it I think would be a great
mistake,'' said Sagan. ``We have a chance to probe with rigor and in
detail one of the great questions ever asked: 'Are we alone?'''
The world's largest radio telescope near Arecibo, Puerto Rico,
will conduct a ``targeted search,'' probing some 1,000 stars similar
to the sun within 100 light-years of Earth. (One light-year is about 6
trillion miles.)
A 112-foot Deep Space Network radio antenna in the Mojave
Desert near Goldstone, Calif., will begin a ``sky survey,'' which uses
less sensitive but broader-range equipment to sweep the remaining sky
for signals.
The incoming digital data will be processed immediately using
supercomputers. Any possible signals will be carefully verified to
ensure they are not coming from Earth or a hoax. If confirmed, the
agency will announce the findings to the world.
``We put in place a whole series of operations and procedures
designed to verify -- and I mean verify to the point there is
absolutely no doubt that this is a signal from technology that resides
not of this Earth,'' Coulter said. ``We have very, very rigid test and
verification procedures to eliminate anybody trying to pull a hoax.''
There was no way to predict how soon a signal could be
detected. But Coulter said there was a high probability that Earth is
not the only home to intelligent life in the Universe.
``The body of evidence that we have suggests the events that
led to the formation of Earth and led to the orgin and development of
life and intelligence on Earth were fairly common,'' he said. ``It may
have gone on in many many places in the Universe.''
The Milky Way galaxy alone contains some 400 billion stars, of
which 10 percent are likely to be orbited by planets in systems
similar to our own, he said.
``There are many potential 'good Earths' just in our galaxy
alone,'' he said. ``Then on top of that there are hundreds of billions
of galaxies other than the Milky Way. The universe is a very large
place indeed and to assume that the activities that led to the
development of intelligent life on Earth are unique in this great
universe would be naive.''
Scientists have previously searched for radio signals from
outer space but on a much more limited scale.
|
| 760.32 | Practicing for the real event | VERGA::KLAES | I, Robot | Mon Jan 11 1993 16:20 | 120 |
| Article: 54851
From: [email protected] (Del Cotter)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.astro,sci.anthropology,rec.arts.sf.science
Subject: Invitation to SETI mailing list
Date: 11 Jan 93 14:36:19 GMT
Organization: Brunel University, West London, UK
The message below is an invitation to join a simulation of a successful
Contact with ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence. If you are interested in
participating in simSETI, contact Jim Moore at:
[email protected]
Please trim the Newsgroups line as appropriate when posting followups.
---Message follows---
*******************************************************
* CONTACT X -- INVITATION for PARTICIPATION in *
* *
* simSETI *
* *
*******************************************************
CONTACT is a national academic conference which brings together some of the
nation's foremost scientists, science fiction writers and artists to
exchange ideas, explore possibilities and stimulate new perspectives about
humanity's future. Since anthropologists study "alien" cultures and science
fiction writers & artists create them, each group may learn something about
"The Other" from such interaction. Our goal: To encourage serious and
creative inter-disciplinary speculation guided by the principles of science.
Each year we meet at CONTACT to promote the integration of human factors
into space age research and policy, emphasize the interaction of the Arts
and Sciences and their technologies, and develop ethical approaches in
cross-cultural contact, whenever and wherever it occurs.
ABOUT simSETI: How would Earth respond to a successful SETI (Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence)? There are three approaches to finding out:
conduct a real SETI and see what happens (very accurate, but no room for
mistakes); armchair speculation (accuracy depends on the speculator, with
only persuasiveness to validate the ideas prior to "testing"); or to try to
simulate the event (questionable accuracy, but probably the most "realistic"
we can hope for).
simSETI is a simulated ETI detection event, begun at CONTACT IX in March,
1992 and continued via Internet since then. In it, an "ET team" has created
an alien and the planet, ecology, and culture to go with it; these ETs have
sent a signal which has been received by an "Earth team" which is trying to
decode, interpret, and respond to the signal. So far, the Earth team has
largely decoded the first set of signals and concluded that they do indeed
represent a message (apparently containing information about a planetary
system and some elementary math notation, etc). Additional messages
received within the last month are still being deciphered, and more are
expected in the weeks preceding CONTACT X (copies of these signals are
available by email from the address below).
CONTACT X will be held in Santa Clara, CA, from 26-28 Feb. 1993. During the
conference we will attempt to interpret the ET signals, what they tell us
and what they tell us about the senders themselves. We will then try to
formulate a "global policy," respond, and see what happens. Some people
will be onsite, and the rest will continue to participate via email.
What each of us will really learn from this exercise will depend on our
interests. For some, simSETI represents a cryptography puzzle; for others,
the challenge lies in re-constructing the ETs based on fragmentary clues
plus general physical, biological, and cultural principles. It is
impossible to predict whether or not we will learn anything about ourselves
that is directly useful for NASA planners. That is in the nature of a
simulation--if we knew what insights it would provide, there would be no
point in doing it (other than to have fun!).
If you are interested in participating in simSETI, contact Jim Moore at
[email protected]
We especially hope for participation from continents other than North
America. Because CONTACT is based here and most onsite participants are
American, this simulation of a global event risks missing out a global
perspective.
************************************************************************
* CONTACT is the brainchild of Jim Funaro (Anthropology Dept., *
* Cabrillo College, Aptos CA 95003), with input from many others *
* over the 9 years it has been going. You can read about CONTACT *
* in the October 1992 issue of _Omni_ ("How to build an alien", by *
* Keith Ferrell); write to Jim Funaro for more background on CONTACT *
* or for registration information to attend CONTACT X in person (no *
* registration required for email participants). A newsletter is *
* published four times a year and is available for $15 annually from *
* Greg Barr, CONTACT Newsletter, 1412 Potomac Ave. SE, Washington DC *
* 20003-3032. *
* *
* CONTACT consists of: *
* SYMPOSIA: Interdisciplinary forums in which professional *
* scientists, writers and artists present scholarly papers for *
* publication and for discussion with the audience. *
* *
* THE BATESON PROJECT: A seminar of invited experts each year *
* addresses a selected topic of academic and public interest *
* relating to our future on Earth or in space. *
* *
* CULTURES OF THE IMAGINATION: An educational scenario involving *
* world building (physical sciences), creating an appropriate *
* alien ecology and biology (life sciences), culture design *
* (social sciences), and/or cross-cultural contact (sciences, *
* arts, and humanities). *
* *
* WORKSHOPS: Educational mini-courses directed by professionals *
* provide theoretical background and "hands-on" experience in *
* world construction, bioform design, culture building, inter- *
* cultural contact, etc. *
* *
************************************************************************
---Message ends---
--
',' ' ',',' | | ',' ' ',','
', ,',' | Del Cotter [email protected] | ', ,','
',' | | ','
|
| 760.33 | HRMS Status Report (60 days) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jan 25 1993 09:56 | 119 |
| TARGETED SEARCH AND SKY SURVEY STATUS
INAUGURATION + 60 DAYS
BACKGROUND
The High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) is part of the Toward Other
Planetary Systems (TOPS) program in NASA's Solar System Exploration Division.
The HRMS looks for evidence of planets orbiting other stars through radio
emissions that may be produced by technological civilizations on any such
planets. The HRMS has two search modes, a Sky Survey and a Targeted Search.
The Sky Survey, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, uses 34-meter
antennas in NASA's Deep Space Network to sweep the entire sky over a wide range
of frequencies for the presence of strong signals. The Targeted Search uses
the largest available radio telescopes to observe nearby sun-like stars over a
narrower range of frequencies for weak signals. The Targeted Search is managed
by NASA's Ames Research Center which is also the lead center for the HRMS. The
combination of the two search modes is millions of times more comprehensive
than the sum of all previous search programs. The observational phase of the
HRMS was inaugurated at 1900 hours Universal Time on 12 October 1992, Columbus
Day, at the NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California and
the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Observatory is part of the
National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, operated by Cornell University for
the National Science Foundation. In a coordinated program, the Arecibo antenna
pointed at the star GL615.1A and the Goldstone antenna began to scan a small
area of sky that included the position of the target star. The beginning of
the search generated world-wide interest in the media. This report presents an
overview of the observations and results to date.
INAUGURAL OBSERVATIONS
Sky Survey
Initial observations began with the new 34-meter antenna at the Venus
Development Station at Goldstone. The project is using the available X-Band
receiver which can be tuned from 8200 to 8600 MHz, and the Sky Survey Prototype
System (SSPS). The SSPS divides 40 MHz of the spectrum into two million 20JHz
channels and automatically looks for Continuous Wave signals as the search
progresses. Each observation involves driving the antenna rapidly in a
"sliding racetrack" pattern programmed to cover a "sky frame," a rectangular
area of sky approximately 1 degree high and 30 degrees in length.
While observing, the SSPS temporarily stores data from channels with power
above a specified threshold level and excises data from channels affected by
terrestrial signals. The scan pattern is designed so that each point in the
frame will be scanned by the antenna at least twice (with slightly different
offsets) at times separated by about 10 minutes. Candidate signals drawn from
the temporary buffer are selected for verification tests at the completion of
the sky frame. A total of 17 sky frames, including 4 repeat frames, have been
observed at X-Band. To date, no candidates have passed the verification tests
and the results are entirely consistent with the expected thermal noise
statistics. Through January 1993, the SSPS will continue to observe about one
day per week on the 34-meter antenna at Goldstone with an increase in allocated
time later in the year.
A special set of three sky frames covering parts of the galactic plane were
observed repeatedly in the frequency bands 1600-1750 MHz and 1380-1430 MHz.
These observations, using the available L-Band receiver on the 26-meter antenna
at the Venus site, are designed to optimize radio astronomy data and improve
interference excision algorithms.
Targeted Search
The Targeted Search System (TSS) used the 305-meter antenna of the Arecibo
Observatory, the world's largest, for its initial observations. The TSS
processed a 10 MHz bandwidth into more than 14 million channels simultaneously,
producing parallel channel resolutions ranging from 1 Hz to 28 Hz. Data were
analyzed in real-time for the presence of Continuous Wave (CW) and Pulsed
signals that may drift in frequency by as much as 1 Hz per second.
Observations focused on a list of 25 stars within 100 light years. Receivers
provided by the observatory allowed observations in four frequency bands
covering a total of about 300 MHz within the range from 1300 MHz to 2400 MHz.
Each "observation" of a star in a particular frequency band consisted of three
steps with the antenna first pointed at the star, then away from the star, and
then back at the star. Each observing step lasted either 92 seconds or 299
seconds. Signals that were present only when the telescope was pointed at the
star were considered potentially of extraterrestrial origin and were subjected
to further tests. Signals that were present both "on" and "off" the star were
deemed to be terrestrial interference signals. A total of 436 observations
were conducted during the 200 hours of assigned telescope time. A large number
of interference signals were detected and cataloged. Fifteen signals required
further verification tests but all proved to be intermittent terrestrial
signals.
Since returning from Arecibo, the TSS is being reassembled in the TS
development lab at NASA Ames. As expected, operational experience has indicated
the need for modifications to several circuit boards and improvements to the
control software. Over the next year the capability of the system will also be
doubled to cover 20 MHz. This work is in preparation for observations of
nearby sun-like stars in the Southern Hemisphere, scheduled to begin in 1994 at
the 64-meter antenna of the Parkes Observatory in Australia. Parkes is part of
the Australian Telescope National Facility operated by the Commonwealth
Scientific Industrial Research Organization. Analysis of the data collected at
Arecibo is now under way with the goal of developing better techniques for
quickly identifying, classifying, and perhaps even avoiding interference
signals.
RESULTS
No signals from beyond our Solar System have been detected yet. Although many
signals have been detected, none appear to originate from a point on the sky as
determined by our observation and verification strategies. Most of the signals
were recognized immediately as terrestrial interference by the software. A few
observations and sky frames detected signals that required verification tests.
Nearly all verification tests have been performed at the site within minutes of
the original detection. A few tests had to be performed on the following day.
No signal passed this level of testing.
The HRMS has successfully inaugurated its observational phase. Both the
Targeted Search and the Sky Survey are using the lessons learned in the initial
observations to improve the hardware, software, and observation techniques of
the HRMS project.
For more information, please contact:
SETI Office
NASA Ames Research Center
M.S. 244-11
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
|
| 760.34 | Check the K stars too | VERGA::KLAES | Life, the Universe, and Everything | Wed Mar 24 1993 12:58 | 28 |
| Article: 59508
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: [email protected]
Subject: Life in the Galaxy
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: [via International Space University]
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1993 15:23:23 GMT
From "Nature", Vol 362, 18 March 1993 (p. 204):
Anybody there?
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) may have more
chance of success than those engaged on the project say (J.F.Kasting,
D.P.Whitmire & R.T.Reynolds, Icarus 101, 108-128; 1993). For a planet
to sustain life, it must be not so near the parent star that its water
content is boiled and photolysed away; but nor should it be so far
away that atmospheric carbon dioxide (necessary as a greenhouse gas)
condenses to form clouds, shading the surface. With these twin
conditions, the authors estimate the size of habitable zones around
various types of star (fortunately, Venus and Mars fall outside the
limits for the Sun). Hotter 'F' stars evolve too quickly for life to
develop, but planets around cooler 'M' stars become tidally locked on
their orbits, so that one hemisphere always looks out to cold outer
space. K stars, however, seem to be even more favourable than the
Sunlike G-stars, currently targeted by the SETI project, and should be
included in the search, the authors argue. (end of article)
|
| 760.35 | SETI refs and possible targets | VERGA::KLAES | Life, the Universe, and Everything | Sun Jun 06 1993 17:16 | 92 |
| Article: 64467
Newsgroups: alt.sci.planetary,sci.space
From: [email protected] (James Salsman)
Subject: The SETI Inst.
Organization: BRI
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 1993 18:24:23 GMT
"Is Bacteriophage \phi X174 DNA a Message from an Extraterrestrial
Intelligence?" Hiromitsu Yokoo and Tairo Oshima, _Icarus_ vol. 38,
pp. 148-153 (1979.)
"SV40 DNA---A Message from \epsilon ERI?" Hiroshi Nakamura,
_Acta_Astronautica_, vol. 13, No. 9, pp. 573-578 (1986.)
-----
This information is from a technical report written by A. V. Arkhipov
of the Akademiya Nauk URSR Kharkov Institute of Radio-Physics and
Electronics in the Ukrane. The Arkhipov article is available from
NTIS under the report number INIS-SU-25/A. It was published in 1986,
but has not yet been translated by any of the American SETI labs that
I have contacted.
According to the tranlation of the abstract, there are four stars
within 20 parsecs that are "solar-type" and also are in the same
direction as "continous isotropic radioemmision" sources in the
hundred to thousand megahertz range. The probability of such
emmissions being accidental was declared to be 2x10^-4.
This information below was gleaned from the text, with the help of
several European star catalogs and a technical Russian-English
dictionary from the Carnegie-Mellon University Engineering and Science
Library, the SIMBAD database, courtesy S.A.O./Harvard and a friend
from Pittsburgh fluent in Russian (Thanks, Inna!)
These are the four stars that Arkhipov says are the probable locations
of extraterrestrial civilazations:
Catalog Right (1950) Dec- Visual Absolute Spectral Distance Radial
Number Ascention lination Magnitude Type (light Velocity
======== ========= ======== ====== ======== ======== =years)= =(km/s)=
HD 21899 3h28m27s -41d 32' 6.11 6.60 F6V 39.3 +16.2
or HR 1076 or GC 4199 (In southern Eridanus, near the 4th mag. y Eridani)
HD100623 11h32m03s -32d 34' 6.06 6.00 dK1V 33.1 -23
or HR 4458 or GC 15873 or DM-32 8179 (In middle Hydra near Zeta Hydrae)
HD187691 19h32m03s +10d 17' 5.16 3.75 dF8V 68.0 -1
or Omicron Aquillae or CG 27480 or GL 768.1A or 54 Aql (Just north of Altair)
HD187923 19h49m43s +11d 30' 6.15 3.1 G0V 135.9 -17
or HR 7569 or GC 27510 (Just about twice as far north of Altair)
Here are the frequencies at which these stars were said to emit
continous isotropic and/or periodic radioemmissions:
Star Signal (MHz) Current (see note)
========= ============ ==================
HD 21899 408 1.64 +or- 0.17
2700 0.19 +or- 0.03
HD 100623 408 0.86 +or- 0.05
1415 0.13 +or- 0.03 (In the Waterhole Band)
2700 0.21 +or- 0.02
HD 187691 178 2.4 +or- 0.5
408 0.85 +or- 0.05
HD 187923 178 2.4 +or- 0.5
408 2.02 +or- 0.77
1420 2.8 +or- 1.0 (In the Waterhole Band)
3200 <0.5
Note: I am not sure what units "current" is being expressed in.
Neither the Russian-English dictionary that I consulted or my
Russian-speaking friend could help me figure out the discussion of
this unit, which apparently included thermodynamics as well as
electromagnetic technicalities. The Cyrilic symbol used for this unit
looks like <backward-R><small-capital-H>.
The waterhole band is that area of the radio frequency sprectrum
between the primary emission lines of H and OH, which many scientists
think would be indicative of water, and therby life, and therefore an
ideal place for interstellar communications. On a related note, I
think that all of Arkhipov's stars are emitting at 408 MHz is
remarkable. Maybe he only had a few settings on his tuner.
--
:James Salsman
::Bovik Research
|
| 760.36 | SETI equipment helps in detecting other systems | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Wed Jun 09 1993 12:14 | 94 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "Ron Baalke" 8-JUN-1993
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: NASA Uses New Method to Detect New Stars and Planets
Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/358-0883) June 8, 1993
Mary A. Hardin
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(Phone: 818/354-5011)
RELEASE: 93-106
NASA USES NEW METHOD TO DETECT NEW STARS AND PLANETS
NASA astronomers investigating how stars are born have used a
new approach to observe the motion of multiple clumps of interstellar
gas that are on the verge of becoming new stars and planetary systems.
This experiment was performed with the new instruments
developed for NASA's High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS), which is
searching for radio signals that may be coming from technological
civilizations on planets orbiting distant stars.
HRMS is part of NASA's Toward Other Planetary Systems (TOPS)
program, which is designed to find and study planets forming around
other stars.
The Milky Way galaxy contains large, massive interstellar
clouds of gas which are the nurseries for newborn stars. Astronomers
believe gravity causes these clouds to collapse and fragment and
produce smaller, dense clumps of gas. In time, these clumps collapse
to form protostars and ultimately, stars and planetary systems.
"We hope that by finding and characterizing these small, dense
clumps of gas we can understand the star formation process and why
different types of stars evolve," said Dr. Thangasamy Velusamy, a
member the research team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL),
Pasadena, Calif.
One way to study interstellar clouds is to detect the radio
emissions produced by a variety of molecules found in the gas clouds.
The JPL scientists observed that radio emissions from a
carbon-sulfur chain molecule, called CCS, stand out much more clearly
in some of these gas clumps.
"We found that these parcels of gas have very little or no
internal motion, other than random motions of individual molecules at
very low temperatures (20 degrees K). For this reason we believe that
we are seeing the basic cloud fragments from which stars may form,"
said Dr. William Langer, leader of JPL's Radio Astronomy Group.
To detect the radio waves in the star-forming clouds,
scientists used the large 230-foot (70-meter) radio telescope at
NASA's Deep Space Network in Goldstone, Calif., in conjunction with
the 2 million channel wide-band spectrum analyzer that is the heart of
the HRMS sky survey system.
"What made our observations unique was that we were able to
take advantage of the HRMS spectrum analyzer to separate out the
motions of individual clumps of gas, which gave us unprecedented
velocity resolution," said Langer.
"Using this instrument with the large radio telescope allows
us to detect small scale structure in a star-forming region and study
their motions with respect to one another. This is especially
important to resolve the questions of how stars form and why some
stars form alone, while others form companion systems orbiting one
another," Langer continued.
In collaboration with Langer and Velusamy, Drs. Thomas Kuiper,
Steven Levin and Edward Olsen presented their findings before the
182nd national meeting of the American Astronomical Society at the
University of California at Berkeley.
Velusamy, Director of the Ooty Radio Observatory in India, is
on sabbatical leave as a U.S. National Research Council senior
resident research associate at JPL.
The research performed by JPL's Radio Astronomy Group was
conducted under contract with NASA. HRMS is sponsored by the Solar
System Exploration Division, Office of Space Science, NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ M/S 525-3684 Telos | The tuatara, a lizard-like
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | reptile from New Zealand,
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ | has three eyes.
|
| 760.37 | News reports on the 164 SERENDIP signals | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Tue Jun 15 1993 13:55 | 214 |
| Article: 37488
From: [email protected] (Tim Thompson)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: 164 ET signal candidates?
Date: 12 Jun 1993 00:24:02 GMT
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Here is the text of the press release from the SERENDIP project,
U.C. Berkeley, concerning the 164 reported "SETI" signals. Remember,
this is a press release, not a journal paper. I have tried to avoid
egregious spelling errors typing this in, but the losy grammer is
their fault, not mine; this is a verbatim quotation; nothing has been
added or changed.
I will tell you that I don't believe the claim that they have
covered 30% of the sky. I think they have covered 30% of the sky that
is visible from Arecibo, which, being a non-steerable antenna, cannot
see large chunks of the sky away from the ecliptic. So far, at least
one of the JPL SETI scientists agrees with me.
I will also tell you that I am not a fan of the emphasis on
"leakage" signals. The NASA SETI project is not designed to detect
leakage, though the "targeted" search phase probably could, from a
sufficiently nearby star. SERENDIP has a big ear to be sure, but they
are unlikely to be looking in a direction favorable to intercepting
leakage.
Also, in regards to Scott Chase being unhappy about the cavalier
nature of the announcement, the JPL SETI people I have talked too have
simply told me that you will never see anything like this from them.
===============================================================================
BEGIN PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED FOR 1:15 PM PDT (4:15 PM EDT) TUESDAY (JUNE 8) -- TIME OF PRESS
CONFERENCE AT THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MEETING
==============================================================================
In its first year of operation, the University of California at Berkeley
search for extraterrestrial radio signals has covered more search space than
all previous searches combined.
U.C. Berkeley astronomers report that the SERENDIP project has already
analyzed 30 trillion radio signals and has identified 164 of them as
warranting further investigation.
Their report is being presented Wednesday (6/9/93) at the 182nd national
meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which is being held this week
at U.C. Berkeley.
The signals were analyzed with an instrument mounted on the world's
largest telescope, the 1000 foot radio dish at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Because
the instrument piggybacks on other experiments, it is able to operate around
the clock, receiving and analyzing data. Since it began operation on April 15,
1992, it has accumulated 3600 hours of high quality telescope time, recorded
over 110 million radio signals, and surveyed 30 percent of the entire sky.
The instrument is called SERENDIP III. The U.C. Berkeley effort is headed
by Stuart Bowyer, professor of astronomy and director of the Center for EUV
Astrophysics at U.C. Berkeley. It is one of several long term SETI (Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence) projects under way or planned around the world.
The Berkeley effort is the most powerful search to date, surveying large
areas of the sky and using the most sensitive detection equipment now in
operation.
The U.C. Berkeley SETI effort, called SERENDIP (Search for Extraterrestrial
Radio Emissions from Nearby Developed Intelligent Populations), began in 1980.
SERENDIP III is the third instrument developed for this effort. The first two
instruments, SERENDIP I and II, used different detection equipment and operated
from smaller radio telescopes.
The computer circuitry and software, specialy designed for SERENDIP III,
monitors four million radio frequency channels every 1.7 seconds. The four
million signals are analyzed immediately for radio intensities above background
levels, and those found are stored for further analysis. Chuck Donnelly,
project software developer, says the yield is typically about 10 signals per
second.
The data are transmitted to Berkeley, where the selected signals are further
analyzed to eliminate those due to interference from earth-based or near-space
radio sources. Those that survive this cut become candidate signals and are
scheduled for closer study using Arecibo or another radio telescope.
SERENDIP is searching the radio band between 424 and 436 Megahertz. These
frequencies are near UHF-TV, radar, and other commercial communication
channels, and thus conceivably could contain signals that have leaked from
planets with technological civilizations like our own. Such signals
continually escape from Earth and thus make us "visible" to anyone looking
in our direction with a radio telescope.
"The Earth is actually brighter than the Sun in some radio frequencies",
says Dan Werthimer, an electrical engineer and program manager of the project.
"Since radio waves travel at the speed of light, they offer a very fast,
efficient method of communication. The hope is that other intelligent
civilizations are either leaking radio waves from their own communications,
or are sending out a signal on purpose -- either directly to us, or an
omnidirectional 'Is anyone out there?' kind of signal."
Some of the candidate signals SERENDIP III has identified so far have
been observed at the same locations in the sky after intervals of a month
or more.
"The Arecibo telescope is always scanning the sky," says Werthimer, "but
it often returns to various spots after a month or two. Our most interesting
candidates are the signals that are stil there when teh telescope comes
back to a particular spot."
Other kinds of candidates include drifting signals that could be coming
from a spinning planet, and signals that rise in intensity as the telescope
moves toward a point, then fall as the telescope moves away, matching the
pattern expected from a stationary signal in the sky. Candidate signals
will undergo additional investigation during the next year.
The SERENDIP III project will continue through 1993. It then will be
replaced by the next generation instrument, SERENDIP IV, which will be
capable of analyzing 120 million radio channels simultaneously.
The Berkeley SETI effort is supported by NASA, by donations from private
individuals, including Mrs. Elizabeth Bowyer, and by dedicated volunteers
who help staff the project.
==============================================================================
END OF PRESS RELEASE
==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Thompson, Earth and Space Sciences Division, JPL.
Assistant Administrator, Division Science Computing Network.
Secretary, Los Angeles Astronomical Society.
Member, BOD, Mount Wilson Observatory Association.
INTERnet/BITnet: [email protected]
NSI/DECnet: jplsc8::tim
SCREAMnet: YO!! TIM!!
GPSnet: 118:10:22.85 W by 34:11:58.27 N
Article: 64918
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: [email protected] (Rod Beckwith)
Subject: SETI/HRMS Unknown Signals?!!?
Sender: [email protected] (Net News)
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1993 19:35:07 GMT
Hello space fans,
Does anyone from NASA or anywhere else have any further details on
the story that follows. Let me know please.
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- A search for aliens in outer space has
detected 164 mysterious radio signals that must be studied to learn if
they come from natural causes or from E.T. trying to phone Earth,
scientists said Tuesday.
"At this point, we have no concrete evidence for signals from
intelligent aliens. We have some possibilities we're going to
investigate further," said Stuart Bowyer, head of the search and an
astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley.
Detection of the 164 unexplained radio signals since the latest,
most sophisticated phase of the $400,000 search started 14 months ago
was announced during the American Astronomical Society's annual meeting.
"If one of these candidate signals is really a signal from an
extraterrestrial civilization, it's likely we will be able to confirm
it within a year," said researcher Dan Werthimer. "But it's very
unlikely that any of these candidates are really from
extraterrestrials. It's much more likely that they are human-made
interference or natural noise sources."
Since the 1960s, dozens of searches have been conducted for radio
signals leaking into space from broadcasts or radar used by any
advanced societies that might exist on distant worlds.
Bowyer and Werthimer said the UC-Berkeley search, which uses a
1,000-foot-wide radio telescope antenna dish in Puerto Rico, is more
powerful and sensitive than any other, analyzing 30 trillion signals
in the last 14 months alone.
A $100 million, 10-year search by the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration eventually will be more powerful once it is
running full time and with more advanced equipment. That search
started Columbus Day, using antennas in Puerto Rico and California.
Several other searches for radio signals from intelligent alien
societies also have detected radio signals that couldn't immediately
be explained. But all of them either were never heard again or were
found to be caused by natural or human sources.
Werthimer said some of the yet-unexplained signals have come from
the same locations in the sky a month or more after they were first
detected.
"Our most interesting candidates are signals that are still there
when the telescope comes back to a particular spot," he said.
That finding is "very interesting" because a radio signal that
appears fixed over time "has to be from beyond our solar system,"
although it could be created naturally, said Edward Olsen, a scientist
working on NASA's search at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
But Werthimer said some such signals may come from within the solar
system, generated by two sources that appear in the same part of the sky.
--
John Galt - via ParaNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [email protected]
--
Rod Beckwith |$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$| The
Datacom I/S |"The great obstacle of progress is not ignorance,| Nite
[email protected]|but the illusion of knowledge." | Net
|$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$|
Knight
|
| 760.38 | HRMS Quarterly Report - June 1993 | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Wed Jul 14 1993 17:23 | 172 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "Ron Baalke" 8-JUL-1993
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: HRMS Quarterly Report - June 1993
Forwarded from the HRMS Project
NASA HIGH RESOLUTION MICROWAVE SURVEY
TARGETED SEARCH AND SKY SURVEY STATUS
QUARTERLY REPORT
JUNE 1993
BACKGROUND
The High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) is part of the Toward Other
Planetary Systems (TOPS) program in NASA's Solar System Exploration
Division. The HRMS searches for evidence of planets orbiting other
stars through radio emissions that may be produced by technological
civilizations. The HRMS has two search modes, a Sky Survey and a Targeted
Search. The Sky Survey is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and
uses 34-meter antennas in NASA's Deep Space Network to sweep the entire
sky over a wide range of frequencies for the presence of strong signals.
The Targeted Search uses the largest available radio telescopes to observe
nearby Sun-like stars over a narrower range of frequencies for weak
signals. The Targeted Search is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center,
which is also the lead center for the HRMS. The combination of the two
search modes is millions of times more comprehensive than the sum of all
previous search programs. The observational phase of the HRMS was
inaugurated at 1900 UT on 12 October 1992 at the NASA Goldstone Deep
Space Communications Complex in California and the Arecibo Observatory
in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National
Astronomy and Ionosphere Center operated by Cornell University for the
National Science Foundation. In a coordinated initial observation
program, the Arecibo antenna pointed at the star Gliese 615.1A and the
Goldstone antenna began to scan the area of sky that included the
targeted star. This report presents an overview of the observations,
project activities, and results to date.
THE OBSERVATIONS
Sky Survey
Initial observations began using the Sky Survey Prototype System (SSPS)
with the new 34-meter antenna and an existing low noise microwave receiver
at the Venus Development Station at Goldstone. The SSPS spectrum analyzer
divides a single-polarization, 40 MHz wide radio frequency band into
slightly more than two million channels of 19 Hz resolution. The SSPS
observatory control software drives the antenna very rapidly in a
precision scan pattern lasting about 90 minutes. The pattern systematically
covers 1.4 degrees high by 30 degrees wide rectangles, called "skyframes,"
which are fixed on the celestial sphere. The skyframes therefore appear
to move across the sky as the Earth rotates. While observing, the SSPS
real time signal detection subsystem excises channels contaminated by
terrestrial signals and stores data from uncontaminated channels whose
power exceeds a specified threshold. The scan pattern is designed so that
each point in a skyframe will be scanned by the antenna at least twice
(with slightly different position offsets) separated by about eight
minutes in time. At the completion of each skyframe, the SSPS post
processing subsystem analyzes the stored data and selects 20 candidates
for the first level verification tests. These tests employ the SSPS in a
different mode to perform more sensitive and localized reobservations.
Forty-six single-polarization skyframes have been completed (i.e., both the
initial skyframe and candidate reobservation phases were performed).
To date, a single event has reappeared in a first level verification
reobservation, albeit at a much weaker power level than in the
original skyframe. The event did not survive additional verification
tests, and the appearance of one such false alarm in 46 skyframes is
consistent with statistical expectations arising from small fluctuations
caused by the thermal noise of the receiver itself. The SSPS is now
observing for approximately 30-40 hours per week on the 34-meter Goldstone
antenna. The SSPS has completed a series of special observations on a
nearby 26-meter antenna at lower microwave frequencies. These observations
were designed to enhance radio astronomy spinoffs from ongoing Sky Survey
operations and to improve interference excision algorithms. Three skyframes
covering half the galactic plane visible from the northern hemisphere
were repeatedly observed in frequency bands that include the natural
emission lines produced by hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals (OH).
Results of these observations, including maps of the detected emission,
will be published later this year.
Work continues at JPL on the development of the Sky Survey Operational
System (with sixteen times the bandwidth of the SSPS) and of the wide
band receiver systems to be used by both search modes.
Targeted Search
The Targeted Search System (TSS) used the Arecibo 305-meter antenna,
the world's largest radio telescope, during its initial campaign to observe
25 stars within 100 light years of the Earth. Receivers provided by the
observatory allowed observations in four frequency bands covering a total
of about 300 MHz within the range from 1300 MHz to 2400 MHz. The TSS
processes a dual-polarization 10 MHz wide radio frequency band into more
than 14 million channels, each only 1 Hz wide. It simultaneously
processes the same band into channels with 7 Hz and 28 Hz resolution.
Real time signal detectors scrutinize the data for the presence of continuous
wave and pulsed signals that may drift infrequency by as much as 1 Hz per
second.
An "observation" of a star in a 10 MHz frequency band consisted of three
steps: pointing the antenna at the star, then away from the star, and
then back at the star. Each step lasted either 92 seconds or 299 seconds.
Signals that were present only when the telescope was pointed at
the star (and not previously seen in other observations) were selected as
candidates for further verification tests. Signals that were present both
"on" and "off" the star were rejected as terrestrial interference. During
the 200 hours of assigned telescope time the TSS made 436 observations of
the target stars and a variety of test observations. Many interference
signals were detected and cataloged while fifteen signals satisfied the
basic candidate selection criteria. These candidates were immediately
subjected to further verification tests, but all proved to be intermittent
terrestrial interference. Analysis of the data collected at Arecibo
continues with the goal of developing better techniques for quickly
identifying, classifying, and perhaps even avoiding interference signals.
Since returning from Arecibo, the TSS has been reassembled in the
development laboratory at NASA Ames. This is part of a planned system
expansion timed to coincide with major upgrade activities at the Arecibo
Observatory. The "lessons learned" through operational experience are
also being implemented as modifications to several circuit boards and
improvements in the software. Over the coming months, the TSS will
expand to process two dual-polarization 10 MHz radio frequency bands
with additional resolutions. The Mobile Research Facility that houses
the TSS for transportation to and operation at observatories has received
additional cabling and electronics racks needed for the 20 MHz system.
The expanded TSS is required for the 1994 Targeted Search Campaign,
during which nearby Sun-like stars in the Southern Hemisphere will be
observed using the 64-meter antenna of the Parkes Observatory in Australia.
Parkes is part of the Australian Telescope National Facility operated by
the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization. A Memorandum
of Agreement has been negotiated between NASA and CSIRO through the
Australian Space Office for the use of this facility.
RESULTS
No signals of extraterrestrial intelligent origin have been detected.
It is encouraging that most of the terrestrial interference signals
encountered so far have been immediately recognized as such by the
Sky Survey and Targeted Search Systems. A few signals required
additional verification tests to determine that they were of human
origin or due to thermal noise. In summary, the HRMS has successfully
inaugurated its observational phase. Both the Targeted Search and the Sky
Survey components are using the lessons learned in the initial observations
to improve their hardware, software, and observation techniques as they
expand their systems by stages to the final configurations required to
pursue the full-scale search.
For more information, please contact:
SETI Program Office
M.S. 244-11
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
phone: (415) 604-6505
or
SETI Office
M.S. 303-401
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, CA 91109
phone: (818) 354-6270
June 1993
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ M/S 525-3684 Telos | There is no such thing as
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | a "temporary" tax increase.
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ |
|
| 760.39 | Media view on SETI Conference | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Mon Aug 23 1993 13:48 | 33 |
| Article: 3301
From: [email protected] (UPI)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.interest,clari.news.gov.agency
Subject: World's ET hunters meet in California
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 93 16:00:44 PDT
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (UPI) -- More than a decade after ``ET'' touched
the hearts and fired the imaginations of millions of movie goers,
scientists from around the world are still scanning the skies for signs
of life in outer space.
More than 120 of the searchers for extraterrestrial intelligence
spent a week comparing notes at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Although the radio signals sifted out thus far as potentially having
been sent by intelligent beings all have been traced back to Earth,
there were notes of optimism among the scientists from 18 countries.
Lewis Snyder of the University of Illinois reported finding the amino
acid glycine, the simplest of life's building blocks, in interstellar
space near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy some 25,000 light years
from Earth.
The discovery indicates these simple molecules could be formed in
space and deposited on the surfaces of new planets.
John Billingham, head of NASA's ET search program -- one of 60
worldwide -- said, ``It seems reasonable we're not the only ones among
all those unbelievable trillions of stars up there with intelligence.''
The U.S. space agency's program, launched last October, has been
granted $100 million for the next 10 years.
|
| 760.40 | Coordinates of the META signal candidates | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Fri Oct 01 1993 13:45 | 378 |
| Article: 43530
From: [email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Coord of META SETI maybes?
Date: 21 Sep 1993 23:00:03 GMT
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA USA
On Sunday, I read Sagan's article (in that highly respected journal -
PARADE) about the results of the last five years of the META SETI
search. He mentions eleven observations which satisfied some of
the search conditions, but were only detected once and could not be
repeated. He says eight of the eleven were near the galactic plane.
The illustration showed the strongest five near the plane.
The Horowitz & Sagan article is in the Astrophysical Journal (I think
it was the ApJ, not AJ) but my local grocery store does not seem to
carry the Astrophysical Journal. My humble request is:
Could someone please post the coordinates of those eleven observations?
They may not be real - but we can dream, can't we?
- Eric
* [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 * ISU'91 USA *
* Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
Article: 43547
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Alfred A. Aburto)
Subject: Re: Coord of META SETI maybes?
Sender: [email protected] (Network News)
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1993 04:33:22 GMT
In article <[email protected]>
[email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom) writes:
> On Sunday, I read Sagan's article (in that highly respected
> journal - PARADE) about the results of the last five years of the
> META SETI search.
I read it too. It was a fine article. A bit dramatic in parts though
with the 'goose bumps' and 'chill down my spine' comments, but still
a good article. Paul Horowitz also published an article on those same
results in the Sep/Oct Planetary Report. Both mention that the formal
results will appear in the September Astrophysical Journal.
> He mentions eleven observations which satisfied some of the search
> conditions, but were only detected once and could not be repeated.
I think the odds of catching a repeat signal (a 'beamed' signal) are
very low! From the transmit side you'd point your powerful long range
narrow radio beam at one point in space, transmit your message, and
then move on to the next pointing position in space. You'd repeat this
process until you covered all space or some meaningful segment of space.
It may be a while, perhaps years, before you'd get a chance to repeat
the transmission to the _same_ point in space. On the receive side you
may pick up the beacon one time, but if some time later you look again
more than likely you'll see nothing. Well, I'm not surprised that
detections (if real) do not seem to repeat.
> He says eight of the eleven were near the galactic plane. The
> illustration showed the strongest five near the plane.
Now this is interesting! Perhaps they are real! But no one knows for
sure! Still, with a bit of stretch of the imagination I can get goose
bumps, or a chill down my spine, too ...
> The Horowitz & Sagan article is in the Astrophysical Journal
> (I think it was the ApJ, not AJ) but my local grocery store does not
> seem to carry the Astrophysical Journal. My humble request is:
>
> Could someone please post the coordinates of those eleven observations?
> They may not be real - but we can dream, can't we? - Eric
>
> * [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 * ISU'91 USA *
> * Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
You might find it at the ODU library.
I checked the September issues of the Astrophysical Journal (and Letters
too) at our library, but I did not see the article! I'll check again.
Al Aburto
[email protected]
Article: 43557
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Coord of META SETI maybes?
Date: 22 Sep 93 11:08:23 BST
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Alfred
A. Aburto) writes:
> You might find it at the ODU library.
>
> I checked the September issues of the Astrophysical Journal (and Letters
> too) at our library, but I did not see the article! I'll check again.
The reference for the article is: Ap J 415, 218 - its in the Sept.
20th edition of Ap. J.
The coordinates given in the data table are actually not that precise
(eg. RA 00.87, DEC 57.5) so I don't think they'll be that useful.
--
================================================================================
Dave Clements, Oxford University Astrophysics Department
================================================================================
clements @ uk.ac.ox.vax | Umberto Eco is the *real* Comte de
dlc @ uk.ac.ox.astro | Saint Germain...
================================================================================
Article: 43768
From: [email protected] (T. Joseph Lazio)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: META candidates
Date: 24 Sep 93 11:09:55
Organization: Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
There have been requests (request?) for the listing of
candidate ETI signals seen by the META search directed
by Paul Horowitz. With the help of Rick Kline, I've
scanned in Table 2 from the Horowitz & Sagan paper.
I've attempted to explain it a bit, both before and
after the table. A full explanation would probably
amount to the full paper anyway.
The paper also contains a figure showing the different
types of candidate signals observed. Unfortunately,
our scanner could not produce a figure in a format
I could handle.
One other note, in an attempt to head off confusion.
These are candidate signals, all of which exceed
the *daily* noise power threshold of 24 (for units, see below).
Given the amount of data META harvested over five
years, it is still possible to get noise spikes
between 24 and 31.7. Of the 37 candidates, 11 are
above the maximum noise level of 31.7; I believe
these 11 are the ones to which Sagan refers in
his Parade article.
Enjoy....
| e-mail: [email protected]
T. Joseph Lazio | phone: (607) 255-6420
| ICBM: 42 deg. 20' 08" N 76 deg. 28' 48" W
Cornell knows I exist?!? | STOP RAPE
=========================== %< ========================================
The following is Table 2 of Horowitz & Sagan ("Five Years of
Project META: An All-Sky Narrow-Band Radio Search for Extraterrestrial
Signals," 1993, Astrophysical Journal, vol. 415, p. 218).
This table lists 37 narrow spectral features whose peak
strength exceeded a pre-determined threshold (based on
the search parameters). The search looked for narrow-band
features (i.e. features whose width was about 0.05 Hz)
in one of three rest frames, CMB, GBC, and LSR. The
search was conducted at two different frequencies in
these rest frames: 1420 MHz (21 cm) and 2840 MHz (10.5 cm).
RA DEC Peak Freq Frame-Pol Type Date UT
RUN A: 1420 MHz
00.87 57.5 28.0 -61.6 GBC-H 1 6942+ 13:24
06.08 -3.5 29.8 -24.2 CMB-H 1 6782 05:09
06.23 9.5 28.0 -41.1 GBC-V 1 6822 02:41
11.58 31.5 28.2 -197.8 GBC-V 1 6876 04:29
21.15 -21.0 29.0 53.0 LSR-V 1 6737 23:08
21.98 38.5 33.6 170.7 CMB-H 4 6894 13:41
RUN B: 2840 MHz
00.82 3.25 29.4 91.9 CMB-H 1 7735+ 09:15
01.30 -22.00 28.8 64.0 CMB-V 1 7577+ 20:06
01.83 7.00 28.2 -189.9 GBC-H 1 7769 08:03
05.73 6.00 29.2 -184.0 GBC-H 1 7326 17:02
08.00 -8.50 746.6 58.7 LSR-V 1 7415+ 13:27
08.03 11.00 30.2 -170.0 LSR-V 1 7301 20:58
08.08 7.00 28.8 45.9 CMB-H 1 7769 14:17
08.67 45.75 29.8 18.4 CMB-H 1 7159+ 06:57
08.95 -15.75 75.4 85.0 GBC-V 1 7452+ 11:59
10.43 -21.25 29.0 154.0 LSR-H 1 7481+ 11:34
11.23 58.00 28.4 -34.4 GBC-V 1 7230 04:52
14.30 57.50 31.8 -134.6 CMB-H 1 7228 08:04
14.65 46.50 31.8 25.1 GBC-H 1 7164 12:36
15.47 -18.00 28.2 185.8 LSR-H 1 7599+ 08:51
17.10 2.00 29.2 83.8 GBC-V 1 7351 02:47
18.05 23.50 28.0 -99.8 GBC-V 1 7061 22:45
18.37 -19.50 52.8 -169.2 GBC-H 1 7467 20:24
18.45 38.50 28.2 0.4 LSR-H 1 7127 18:49
18.67 -23.25 44.4 9.6 CMB-H 1 7493+ 18:59
18.68 -22.25 28.8 -1.0 LSR-H 1 7565+ 14:17
19.18 -0.50 28.0 -73.7 GBC-H 1 7699 06:00
19.67 -23.00 29.0 66.4 CMB-H 1 7560 15:36
20.03 30.75 33.2 -31.0 GBC-H 1 7092 22:41
RUN C: 1420 MHz
01.70 33.5 28.8 -15.9 LSR-H 3 8014+ 15:47
02.90 32.0 30.2 197.1 LSR-V 1 8022+ 16:28
03.10 58.0 224.0 -169.6 LSR-H 1 7847+ 04:12
12.32 16.0 29.0 -115.0 CMB-H 1 8160+ 16:49
12.73 -12.5 30.6 152.3 CMS-H 1 8364+ 03:51
15.55 17.0 28.6 -50.1 GBC-V 1 8154+ 20:26
19.57 47.5 35.6 -164.6 LSR-H 1 7916 16:06
23.72 8.5 33.0 -28.5 LSR-V 2 8216+ 00:35
a) The RA and DEC coordinates are the coordinates *at
the epoch of observation*, i.e. they are *not* B1950 or
J2000, though they can be converted to such.
b) In units of average power per channel; assuming noise
statistics, the strongest expected signal is 31.7 in these
units; in these units 30 corresponds to approximately
1.7E-23 W m^-2, or given their channel bandwidth, 34 000 Jy
c) offset in kHz from nominal observing frequency
d) CMB = cosmic microwave background rest frame; GBC = Galactic
barycenter (i.e. center of mass of Galaxy); LSR = Local
Standard of Rest; H = horizontal polarization(EW);
V = vertical polarization(NS)
e) 1 - single channel peak
2 - < 10 channel peak
3 - ~ 20 channel peak
4 - wide peak
f) calendar days since JD 2 440 000 (1968 May 23); a + indicates
the same declination was observed on 2 consecutive days
--
| e-mail: [email protected]
T. Joseph Lazio | phone: (607) 255-6420
| ICBM: 42 deg. 20' 08" N 76 deg. 28' 48" W
Cornell knows I exist?!? | STOP RAPE
Article: 43803
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Alfred A. Aburto)
Subject: Re: META signals
Sender: [email protected] (Network News)
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1993 04:54:54 GMT
In article <[email protected]> [email protected]
(Jeff Bytof - SIO) writes:
> If these signals mentioned in parade are really ETI, then they
> are at quite some distance away to be concentrated in the plane
> of the Galaxy. If they were on the average of a few hundred lights
> years away, their distribution in the sky would be more isotropic.
This is a good point and it means also that the percentage of
transmitting civilizations (if any really) is rather small. Perhaps
just as Sagan indicated: 1,000,000 out of 400,000,000,000 or 1 star
system out of 400,000 star systems, or 0.00025% --- therefore the best
chances of detecting something would be near the highest concentration
of stars (which is the galactic plane).
> What if the signal was being regularly transmitted in our direction
> at long intervals, say 1-100 years? We might easily miss it next time
> unless we concentrate in those specific directions from now on.
This is exactly what we need to do now. We have 11 candidate locations
now and what we need to do is observe these locations continously for
long periods of time (many years).
I was thinking that members of the Society of Amateur Radio
Astronomers (SARA) might help with these type observations. 'Camp out'
at these stars and observe them for long periods of time at the
original detection frequencies and at other frequencies. An
interesting hardware, software and signal processing project! Would
it be meaningful to do with small (amateur) radio telescopes though?
I'm not sure yet. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Any inputs
welcome of course from anyone.
> Of course, 'they' would probably not be aware of our existence, but are
> just sending signals out in preferred directions (probably concentrating
> on the galactic plane and the nearby large galaxies).
>
> -rabjab
Al Aburto
[email protected]
Article: 43861
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (&)
Subject: Re: Coord of META SETI maybes?
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: The University of Alabama
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1993 19:23:15 GMT
The citation for this paper is:
Paul Horowitz and Carl Sagan, "Five Years of Project META: An All-sky
Narrow-band Radio Search for Extraterrestrial Signals", Astrophys. J.
415, 218 (20 Sept 1993 issue).
Table 2 of the paper lists 37 narrow and strong spectral features
observed in this search. It is a bit amusing to read Sagan discussing
all the reasons why they probably _aren't_ of artificial origin (or if
they are they're local), for example:
"... plausible estimates include the possibility that all five events
of substantial signal strength (P>36P_0) are due to this cause"
[signal-processor errors]. "Furthermore, the explanation of the
remaining (weaker) events in the table as expected statistical
fluctuations seem altogether reasonable." Rare statistical
fluctuations are top be expected in a dataset of 6x10^13 measurements.
Not to do too much typing, the coordinates of the events are as follows
(RA in decimal hours, declination in decimal degrees):
Run A, 1420 MHz:
00.87 57.5
06.08 -3.5
06.23 9.5
11.58 31.5
21.15 -21.0
21.98 38.5
Run B, 2840 MHz:
00.82 3.25
01.30 -22.00
01.83 7.00
05.73 6.00
08.00 -8.50 *
08.03 11.00
08.08 7.00
08.67 45.75
08.95 -15.75 *
11.23 58.00
14.30 57.50
14.65 46.50
15.47 -18.00
17.10 2.00
18.05 23.50
18.37 -19.50 *
18.45 38.50
18.67 -23.25 *
18.68 -22.25
19.18 -0.50
19.67 -23.00
20.03 30.75
Run C: 1420 MHz
01.70 33.5
02.90 32.0
03.10 58.0 *
12.32 16.0
12.73 -12.5
15.55 17.0
19.57 47.5
23.72 8.5
The five strongest events (asterisks above) show the remarked
alignment along the galactic plane.
Bill Keel Astronomy, University of Alabama
"The visions we present to our children shape the future. It matters
what those visions are." - Carl Sagan
|
| 760.41 | | SKYLAB::FISHER | Carp Diem : Fish the Day | Fri Oct 01 1993 17:32 | 8 |
| I wonder if they actually recorded the signals to be able to look back and see
if you might be able to extract
1-3-5-7-11-13-17-19-23 etc out of it?
Or maybe a TV picture of some cosmic Bob Hope :-)
Burns
|
| 760.42 | This is outrageous - Educate your Congressperson! | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Tue Oct 05 1993 10:36 | 72 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "Jeff Bytof - SIO" 5-OCT-1993
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: NASA SETI gets canned
NASA GETS MESSAGE: NO FUNDS FOR ET SEARCH
-----------------------------------------
- Vote by Congress panel dismays JPL Scientists -
Associated Press (3 October 1993)
LOS ANGELES - A House-Senate conference committee has voted to eliminate
funding for NASA's biggest search for alien civilizations less than a year
after the galactic listening effort began, a project manager said.
The final NASA appropriations bill still must be passed by the full House
and Senate, but scientists held out little hope that it could be saved.
"It's lost," said Bob Arnold, a research assistant at Ames. "This means
no funding for fiscal year 1994, which began today."
Friday's action on NASA's fiscal year 1994 budget would provide only
enough money to shut down the $100 million project, said Michael Klein,
project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
"We have some people here who have worked 15 years on this project," Klein
said. "Now all of a sudden it's going to be gone, and I think that's
tragic. But we have to follow the will of Congress."
The space agency launched its 10-year search Oct. 12, Columbus Day,
by turning on giant radio telescope "ears" in California and Puerto Rico.
JPL in Pasadena and NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View were
coordinating the project.
JPL spokesman Bob MacMillin said staff members were awaiting orders
from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on how to end
the program.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI, sought to answer
whether humans are alone in the Universe by scanning the skies to detect
radio signals that could be sent by distant civilizations.
At NASA's Deep Space Network tracking station at Goldstone, about 150
miles northeast of Los Angeles, a 112-foot-wide antenna listened for alien
signals among millions of radio frequencies.
A 1,000-foot-wide antenna dish at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico
conducted a search for radio signals from any inhabited planets orbiting
about 1,000 of the Sunlike stars closest to our own solar system.
More than 50 small-scale and limited searches for extraterrestrial
civilizations have been conducted, dozens of unusual signals were detected,
but none proved to be evidence of a technological society on a distant world.
Many scientists, including astronomer Carl Sagan, supported the NASA search.
They cited a 1972 National Academy of Sciences report that said that
"detection of intelligent life elsewhere may, in the long run, be one of
science's most important and most profound contributions to mankind and to our
civilization."
But in an era of huge federal deficits, SETI had its share of congressional
critics.
Among them was Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., who said last year that the
search for aliens "is just another reason there are so many people
who are so angry and disgusted and fed up with the federal government."
[Ten million dollars each year is barely a drop in the bucket for most
government programs, yet somehow NASA SETI is "draining" the system.
It is obvious that some people's priorities are quite screwed up. - LK]
|
| 760.43 | Economic Hard Times | LHOTSE::DAHL | Customers do not buy architectures | Tue Oct 05 1993 13:24 | 10 |
| RE: <<< Note 760.42 by VERGA::KLAES "Quo vadimus?" >>>
> [Ten million dollars each year is barely a drop in the bucket for most
> government programs, yet somehow NASA SETI is "draining" the system.
> It is obvious that some people's priorities are quite screwed up. - LK]
To play devil's advocate, where would you cut the ten million instead? I don't
really want to start such a debate, but the point of course is that times are
tough.
-- Tom
|
| 760.44 | Alas, times are tough.... | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Oct 05 1993 14:02 | 27 |
| Hmmm, I guess that Tenn. isn't getting a piece of this...
$10M -- lets trim some of the tobacco subsidies. I'm "angry and disgusted"
with those too.
Basically, 75% of government programs are easy pot shots if you use the
criteria mention in .42.
The SETI program suffers from the "contactin' them aliens" syndrome that
pervades the popular culture (witness NASA's attempt to hide this under the
HRMS moniker). While other probes into scientific esoterica manage to survive
because nobody understands them and they take the word of the scientific
community that there is a benefit somewhere, this one gets special treatment
because Steven Speilberg (et. al.) have made a few hundred million on the
entertainment aspects of it.
SETI squeaked through before, but may get whacked this time. I'm beginning
to side with the camp that mentions that certain projects (especially science-
based ones) get 2 year funding guarantees.
- dave
[We really should move the general discussion of funding elsewhere, but
discussions about whether or not to fund SETI are appropriate, even in the
larger context of national issues.]
|
| 760.45 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | Hotel Garson: No Vacancies | Wed Oct 06 1993 01:43 | 18 |
| re .last few
I'm not passionate about SETI itself but I do feel sympathy for the
people on the project - only just started and now funding zeroed.
(Vaguely reminiscent of Digital...)
Also, I believe that NASA should be given more autonomy in how they
spread the money around (i.e. less congressional micro-management) as
long as the targetted projects are within NASA's charter. Hence NASA
could choose not to fund SETI or they could choose to cut the $10m
elsewhere.
re .-1
Perhaps Mr Spielberg would be willing to chip in. Anyone know what he
*really* thinks about ET?
I missed the reference to Tennessee?
|
| 760.46 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Oct 06 1993 09:52 | 15 |
| Re: Tennessee
Sorry, I was referring to the pork barrelling that pervades congress:
> Among them was Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., who said last year that the
>search for aliens "is just another reason there are so many people
>who are so angry and disgusted and fed up with the federal government."
My assumption is that if one of the antennas was located in Mr. Duncan's
district an incredibly fewer number of people would be disgusted and fed
up with the federal government so that he no longer felt compelled to say
what he did.
- dave
|
| 760.47 | Sarcasm on | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Wed Oct 06 1993 10:50 | 8 |
| Yes indeed, that $10 million from NASA SETI could go to support
a U.S. sport "star" salary for almost one whole year, or even pay
Arnold Schwarzenegger to make another "Last Action Hero".
This is what I mean about our priorities being screwed up!
:^(
|
| 760.48 | E-Mail discussion list on Extraterrestrial Life | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Wed Oct 06 1993 11:32 | 389 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" 6-OCT-1993 08:50:29.91
CC:
Subj: File extraterrestrials introduction
+ + + WELCOME TO THE EXTRATERRESTRIALS DISCUSSION LIST + + +
The purpose of this list is to provide a forum for all those who, from
within whatever academic or scientific discipline, are interested in
questions about the existence of life -- and especially the existence
of intelligent life -- elsewhere in the Universe, and who wish to
share ideas and speculations about the likelihood and nature of such
extraterrestrial life.
Quite a bit of work has been published on these topics in scholarly
and scientific books and periodicals, and indeed one useful function
this discussion list could serve is to make such publications better
known among a wider group of people. Even so, the subject of
extra-terrestrial life is one that exists on the very margins of a
number of disciplines, most notably astronomy and astrophysics, but
also biology, philosophy, theology, anthropology and the history of
ideas. It is hoped that this discussion group will bring together
individuals from many different quarters whose mutual interest in the
topic would otherwise remain unknown.
There is too of course a vast literature, mostly but not entirely of a
popular kind, about UFOs, alien abductions, and so forth, and approached
with a calm and open mind some of this material is certainly worthy of
serious attention, just as much of it is certainly not.
To begin with I shall let the discussion list find its own level as a
completely 'open' list (i.e. anyone can contribute anything they
consider relevant and interesting) and then review the situation after
an appropriate trial period, perhaps redefining the list as a 'closed'
list, or alternatively appointing myself as 'moderator'.
I would suggest that appropriate contributions are likely to fall into
one (or more) of the following categories:
1. Exchange of information about recent publications, forthcoming
conferences, new courses, relevant items in the printed and broadcast
media, etc.
2. Discussion of the significance of relevant scientific data and
discoveries and of recent scientific theories in various fields (e.g.
Hoyle's exobiological theory about the origins of epidemics).
3. Discussion of a more speculative scientific or philosophical kind
about the nature of extraterrestrial life (exobiology etc), about
strategies for actively searching for signs of extraterrestrial life
(SETI), and about the significance its discovery might have for the
various departments of terrestrial life, especially in the extreme
case of contact with extraterrestrial intelligent life (CETI).
I should also be grateful if those who decide to subscribe to this
list would endeavour to bring it to the attention of others who might
be interested, including those who are not currently users of
computers or E-Mail (but who might decide to become such out of
interest in this list).
Finally, it would be both interesting and helpful if new subscribers
could E-Mail to me (NOT to the list) two or three lines describing
themselves and their main interests.
DR PETER MOORE
DARWIN COLLEGE,
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT AT CANTERBURY,
KENT, CT2 7NY,
United Kingdom
Tel: (0227) 76400, ext 3675
E-Mail: [email protected]
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 12:21:22 +0100
% From: [email protected]
% Subject: File extraterrestrials introduction
From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" 6-OCT-1993 08:53:02.27
CC:
Subj: Subscription to Mailbase list extraterrestrials
You have been added to the Mailbase list extraterrestrials. To leave
this list send the command:
LEAVE extraterrestrials
to
[email protected]
List description:
This list is for all those who, from within whatever academic or
scientific discipline, are interested in discoveries and speculations
concerning the existence and nature of extraterrestrial life, and in
particular of extraterrestrial intelligent life.
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 12:21:20 +0100
% From: [email protected]
% Subject: Subscription to Mailbase list extraterrestrials
From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" 6-OCT-1993 08:52:59.54
CC:
Subj: File mailbase user-card
User Commands Reference Card January 1993
****************************
Copyright the UK Networked Information Services Project, 1993
The Computing Service, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
This is the on-line version of the reference card - a formatted copy may be
obtained from NISP: send your e-mail request to
[email protected]
If you are not the type of person to plough through a lengthy document
and just want to get started, this card may provide you with all the
information you need. If you require a comprehensive introduction to
Mailbase you may retrieve the User's Guide by sending the following
command in an e-mail message to [email protected]
send mailbase user-guide
Welcome to Mailbase (TM)
*******************
Mailbase is an electronic information service which allows UK
groups to manage their own discussion topics (Mailbase lists) and
associated files.
The Mailbase service is run as part of the JANET Networked
Information Services Project (NISP) based at Newcastle University.
If you are new to Mailbase you may find it useful to read through
some other Mailbase documents.
Other documents
For a list of on-line documentation about Mailbase, send the
following command in an e-mail message to:
[email protected]
index mailbase
You can then use the "send" command to retrieve those documents that
interest you.
Support from Mailbase
"help" returns a summary of the Mailbase commands. If the "command" option
is used then a more detailed description of a particular command is given.
Example: help review
Will return information on the command review.
If you have problems with Mailbase first look at the file of
"frequently asked questions". To retrieve this file send the following
command to [email protected]
send mailbase user-faq
If you still have a problem contact your List Owner, the address is:
[email protected]
where listname is the name of your chosen list.
For example to contact the List Owner for the list chest-dtp, the
address would be:
[email protected]
If you are still need help send an e-mail message to:
[email protected]
explaining the problem - we will do our best to help.
Sending Mailbase Commands
*************************
This card provides a summary of the commands needed to use a
Mailbase discussion list.
Commands should be sent as an electronic mail message to:
[email protected]
More than one command may appear in a message to Mailbase; They may be
in any order, in UPPER, lower, or MiXeD case. If you normally
terminate your e-mail messages with a signature, please use stop after
the final command sent to mailbase. As an example, if you wish to join
an open list, then depending upon the type of mail system your mail
message should look similar to the following.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| mail message |
| |
| To: [email protected] |
| |
| Subject: test (you may leave this blank) |
| |
| Text of message: join eng-lit Cliff Spencer |
| |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To check if there are any files associated with a particular list send
an index command.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| mail message |
| |
| To: [email protected] |
| |
| Subject: test (you may leave this blank) |
| |
| Text of message: index eng-lit |
| |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To contribute to a list, for example English Literature.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
| mail message |
| |
| To: [email protected] |
| |
| Subject: romantic poetry |
| |
| Text of message: A recent study has shown that... |
| |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Reference
***************
Notation
Braces { and } enclose alternative items, one of which must be given.
Square brackets [ and ] enclose optional items. A vertical bar | means
or. Items in angle brackets <> are to be replaced appropriately.
Please note that lists quoted in the examples on this card are fictitious.
COMMANDS
********
find lists <word>
help [command]
index [listname]
join <listname> <firstname> <lastname>
leave {<listname> | all}
line limit <number>
list me
lists [full]
resume mail {<listname> | all }
review <listname>
send <listname> <filename>
statistics [commands | lists | <listname>]
stop
suspend mail {<listname> | all }
USER COMMANDS
*************
Joining and leaving a list
Use the "join" command to add your name to a Mailbase list
Example: join fluid-dynamics George Stevens
Synonym: subscribe
You will begin to receive messages from the list(s) you have joined - if
you wish to make a contribution send your message(s) to the
list address. You can see an example in the section Sending
Mailbase Commands.
"Leave" will remove your name from a specified Mailbase list, or, if
the all option is used, from all those lists where your membership
address corresponds to your current mail address.
Example: leave read-digest
Synonym: unsubscribe
Use "suspend mail" to temporarily suspend mail from a specified
list, or from every list if the all option is used. You will still remain
a list member and may continue to receive mail by issuing a
resume mail command.
Example: suspend mail cti-humgrad
"resume mail" will restore mail from a chosen list, or from all
(joined) lists if the all option is used.
Example: resume mail cti-humgrad
Checking your membership
"list me" shows which lists you are member of, and whether you are
a List Owner or Moderator.
Synonym: listme
Retrieving files
Use the "index" command to obtain a record of those lists which
have related files. If you include a listname then the names of files
specific to that list are returned.
Example: index romantic-poets
send retrieves files via electronic mail (see index command). Large
files are automatically broken down into several messages each
1000 lines long.
Example: send mac-users dtp-review
Synonym: get, send me
You may set your own file size, up to a maximum of 5,000 lines,
by using the "line limit" command. If required it should precede a
send command. The minimum line limit value is 1000.
Example: line limit 2000
Synonym: line-limit
Anonymous FTP
Public files on Mailbase may be retrieved using the anonymous FTP service.
* Use your local FTP service to connect to mailbase.ac.uk
* Login as "anonymous"
* Files for a list are in /pub/listname. For example the files
for the nisp list are in the directory /pub/nisp
* Mailbase documents are in the directory /pub/mailbase
Contact your local system administrator for details of FTP at your site.
List information
"lists" returns a list of all the current Mailbase lists. The full option
adds short descriptions provided by List Owners.
Example: lists full
Use find lists" to search Mailbase for lists which have descriptions
matching your subject area.
Example: find lists medical
Use review to obtain details of the members of a Mailbase list, and
a brief description of the purpose of that list.
Example: review lib-cdroms
Mailbase statistics
Use "statistics" to obtain data on a specific Mailbase list if the
listname option is given, or on all lists if the lists option is chosen.
With the commands option, statistics on Mailbase commands are
shown. If no options are given, statistics on both commands and
lists are returned.
Example: statistics eng-lit
===============================================================================
(cs Jan 1993)
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 12:21:16 +0100
% From: [email protected]
% Subject: File mailbase user-card
|
| 760.49 | -Military = +SETI | MAYDAY::ANDRADE | The sentinel (.)(.) | Thu Oct 07 1993 09:42 | 30 |
| Re .budgets
Take the SETI money out of the military buget, hell you can a lot
out of this budget without any problems (after all it is what 1/4
to 1/3 of all the federal spending).
On one hand the governament is crying over the military to civil
convertion problems, on the other it is cutting a high tech project
"SETI" that could help with it.
As a matter fact, military to civil-space industrial convertions
would be one of the easyest of all to acomplish. So they should
set up NASA to take some of the slack reducing the military is
leaving behind.
Re .SETI results
So the SETI program should not be measured on what ET life it finds,
but rather on what ET life it does not find.
ex: So far all SETI programs found that if ET life exists, it isn't
making any electromagnetic noises in the nearer starts or broadcasting
signals towards us in any star in a radius of a few hundred light years.
And that is already a lot, considering that the human race today would
not be capable of exchanging meaninful communications with anyone more
then a few light decades away.
Gil
|
| 760.50 | Slippery politics strike again | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Fri Oct 08 1993 14:33 | 49 |
| Article: 44533
From: [email protected] (Tim Thompson)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: SETI Project
Date: 8 Oct 1993 00:25:43 GMT
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The SETI project was evidently axed by Senator Bryan of Nevada.
He put an amendment on the floor at about 9 AM, that was not voted on
until later that afternoon. Hence, most senators voting had not heard
any of the arguements made in the morning, when only a small number
of senators were actually present. The result was a vote on the senate
floor of 75-25 against SETI, and for the amendment. Many of these
senators might have voted otherwise had they known fully what was
happening. The large margin of votes made it very tough to save SETI
in conference. SETI was fully funded in the house budget, but zero in
the senate version. The conference committee went with zero.
This is a typical trick, similar to the one used last year to
de-fund SETI in the house. At that time, with only a handfull of
representatives present, one complained about little green men, while
waving a copy on the National Inquirer, and the little handfull voted
SETI out of the budget. However, last year it was easily replaced in
conference, since many representatives were embarrased.
Senator Bryan refuses to speak to anyone from the SETI project, and
has done so for a few years at least. No reason is given for his
animosity; unsubstantiated rumour suggests religious reasons.
SETI is definitely on thin ice, but there are still possibilities,
which the Washington crew are working on. My own personal opinion is
that a letter to your own senator/congressman couldn't hurt, if
you are interested enough.
---
------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Thompson, Earth and Space Sciences Division, JPL.
Assistant Administrator, Division Science Computing Network.
Secretary, Los Angeles Astronomical Society.
Member, BOD, Mount Wilson Observatory Association.
INTERnet/BITnet: [email protected]
NSI/DECnet: jplsc8::tim
SCREAMnet: YO!! TIM!!
GPSnet: 118:10:22.85 W by 34:11:58.27 N
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
------ Science without conscience is only soul's ruin (Rabelais) ------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 760.51 | | HELIX::MAIEWSKI | | Fri Oct 08 1993 15:01 | 25 |
| I wonder if killing this program this is all that bad an idea.
First of all, even if we do detect signs of intelligent life, it probably
won't matter if we find it now or 20 years from now. It might be fun to
speculate about what we see but that's about it. The odds that the Klingon
invasion fleet are 2 years from breaking out of hyper space over Flat Springs
Montana are pretty slim.
But more than that, with sophisticated electronics coming down dramatically
in price and with improvements coming to dish type receivers that will be
driven by the demand for satellite TV, this program would probably be a whole
lot cheaper to design and implement 5 years from now than it is today.
By then satellite dishes will probably be within the price range for middle
class people which suggests that larger systems based on similar technology
could probably be built that would serve this purpose for tens of thousands
rather than millions.
No big rush here, it's probably already to late to stop the Vulcans and
Romulans from splitting into two societies and besides, Spock will have a
good grip on that problem in the "New Generation" time frame.
Let's spend the money on something else, or not spend it at all.
George
|
| 760.52 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | Hotel Garson: No Vacancies | Sat Oct 09 1993 01:43 | 31 |
| re .51
> First of all, even if we do detect signs of intelligent life, it probably
>won't matter if we find it now or 20 years from now.
But you could apply the same argument to many other possible projects
e.g. Pluto Fast Flyby, Cassini.
We could do them 20 years from now. The relevant targets will be much
the same then. It's not likely that the things we will learn from doing
them will be critical knowledge within the next 20 years.
>By then satellite dishes will probably be within the price range for middle
>class people which suggests that larger systems based on similar technology
>could probably be built that would serve this purpose for tens of thousands
>rather than millions.
I am sceptical about this i.e. that you can compare the technology
involved in SETI with home dishes. (Home dishes are indeed getting
cheaper. One reason can be that higher power transmitter means smaller
and less sophisticated receiver required.) However due to the number of
orders of magnitude difference in signal strength and signal to noise
ratio I expect that SETI will still require out of the ordinary hardware
i.e. qualitatively different. I would expect that some cost savings could
arise in the future on the signal processing side due to improvements in
chip and similar technologies.
> Let's spend the money on something else, or not spend it at all.
If the goal is to reduce the budget deficit it really has to be the
latter.
|
| 760.53 | Don't drop it | MAYDAY::ANDRADE | The sentinel (.)(.) | Mon Oct 11 1993 09:56 | 24 |
| re .51
> First of all, even if we do detect signs of intelligent life, it
> probably won't matter if we find it now or 20 years from now.
Yes it does, compare as re.52 does with other activities, for example
SATURN V rockets. A technology that we once had but no longer do,
bacause it wasn't no longer needed in the short term. Well now that
the long term is here, boy do we wich we still had it to launch the
space station Freedom, and heavy GEO satelites, and heavy/fast
inter-planetary probes, and a return to the Moon program and a Mars
visit, and so on.
Its now 30 years later, and no doubt we could do better, BUT have we
done it ? NO, and we will not do it just yet either. The Space Shuttle
never did live up to its hopes, it works but at what cost...
Besides its not just a question of keeping SETI technology alive,
the discovery of ETI if it ever happens would be the most significant
single event in the history of Humankind in Eons. Would we not feel
sily if the discovery was delayed or missed altogether due to GAPS
in the coverage.
Gil
|
| 760.54 | | HELIX::MAIEWSKI | | Thu Oct 14 1993 00:30 | 32 |
| RE <<< Note 760.53 by MAYDAY::ANDRADE "The sentinel (.)(.)" >>>
> Yes it does, compare as re.52 does with other activities, for example
> SATURN V rockets. A technology that we once had but no longer do,
> bacause it wasn't no longer needed in the short term. Well now that
> the long term is here, boy do we wich we still had it to launch the
> space station Freedom,
This is a totally different issue. Rocket technology is not getting 10 times
cheaper every 5 years. As I understand it, other than the large antenna, most
of this effort involves electronic devices and I'm sure that most of that is
computer technology which is getting 10 times cheaper every 5 years.
Not only is the cost of computers continuing to go down, but new advances in
Massively Parallel systems and Neural nets that will be coming along in the
next 10-20 years seem to fit this effort perfectly. Once the signal is picked
up it's possible that a home computer of 2005 using off the shelf software
might be able to accomplish what this more expensive program would do today.
As for Pluto, I don't think there is a comparison. Pluto is a planet that we
know exists. We've been looking at it for decades and the information coming in
seems fascinating. By contrast, a look for intelligent life has a very small
chance of turning anything up.
Besides, the NASA effort is not the only search for intelligent life going
on. When I was in the Comp Sci Dep at U.Mass. back around 1970 we shared a
building with the Astronomy department. They had a guy doing something just
like this back then. It's not at all clear that NASA with their Rolls Royce
mentality would be better at this than some scruffy associate professor with
a few hungry graduate students and a NSF grant.
George
|
| 760.55 | NASA SETI Update | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Thu Oct 28 1993 00:35 | 68 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 22-OCT-1993
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: SETI Shutdown
Last week, the Project Manager of the High Resolution Microwave
Survey, NASA's SETI project, received formal notification from the
NASA Administrator to shut down the HRMS project over 60 days,
pursuant to the action by the US Congress earlier this month.
Informed opinion is that there is almost no chance of reviving the
NASA project for the foreseeable future.
Background: The HRMS was the most ambitious SETI project to date.
The Sky Survey segment of the Project was based at JPL and had the
goal of searching the entire sky at all frequencies between 1 and 10 GHz
using DSN antennas, an enormous task. For comparison, the Harvard
META project searched the whole sky over about 2 MHz, and the
Berkeley SERENDIP project, currently running at Arecibo, surveys ~10
MHz over a substantial part of the northern sky. All these surveys
suffer from relatively poor sensitivities; they fail by many orders of
magnitude to be able to detect the emissions of planets with
technologies similar to ours. The META project, for example, requires
a transmitter with EIRP of 7,000,000 GW at 1000 light years (a typical
stellar distance in an all-sky survey) to produce a candidate signal. The
HRMS Targeted Search, run out of Ames Research Center, had a
different strategy: with long integrations on individual stars using the
largest antennas in the world, it would have achieved a sensitivity (at
Arecibo) sufficient to detect an EIRP of 0.4 GW at 10 ly (a typical
distance to a nearby star). The frequency range from 1 to 3 GHz was to
be searched for about 1000 of the nearest selected solar-type stars.
Current Status: 1) The Sky Survey has built and is using a prototype
system at L and X band. Observations will cease. The equipment will
be stored, probably at a DSN telescope. 2) The Targeted Search was
deployed at Arecibo last year with a 10 MHz pre-production system.
This system is now back at Ames, being upgraded into a 20 MHz
production system, in preparation for deployment to the 64 meter
Parkes antenna in Australia next year.. Unfortunately, this upgrade
means that everything has been taken apart. We hope to be able to
reassemble the 10 MHz system and get it into some kind of working
condition before the shutdown completes. 3) JPL was nearing
completion of an innovative feed/cryogenic amplifier system that
spanned 1 to 3 GHz in just two packages. We hope to salvage some of
this gear. 4) The HRMS was partially supporting SETI efforts at Harvard,
Berkeley, and Ohio State; much, possibly all, of
this funding will be lost. 5) A number of university scientists were
being funded as part of the Investigators' Working Group; these too
will get the ax. 6) The joint NSF/HRMS curriculum development
project at the SETI Institute can, we hope, be saved by reprogramming
at NASA.
Future Prospects: Since the Sky Survey depends largely on NASA
antennas and JPL personnel, prospects for the SS seem bleak. The
Targeted Search, on the other hand, was run primarily through the
non-profit SETI Institute (under a NASA Cooperative Agreement) and
planned to use non-NASA telescopes, so there is still a _chance_ to do
something. The SETI Institute has begun an emergency appeal to
foundations and wealthy individuals to fund deployment of the
Targeted Search. In the longer term, the Institute is seeking stable
private funding to allow continued development and sustained use of
SETI instrumentation, both internally and by support of external
groups. We hope to be able to improve the sensitivity by a factor of 5-
10 and the search speed by a factor of 10-30 within a decade.
John Dreher
Targeted Search System Scientist
[email protected]
|
| 760.56 | Bioastronomy News on SETI research | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Sun Nov 07 1993 19:13 | 458 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 6-NOV-1993
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: Bioastronomy News
Dear Friends:
Here I include an article by Frank Drake about the last meeting of
the International Astronomical Union Commission 51, held at the
University of California at Santa Cruz. It was published one month
ago in BIOASTRONOMY NEWS, vol.5, No.4, Fall 1993. Bioastronmy News
is the newsletter of IAU Commission 51, and it is published four
times a year by
The Planetary Society,
65 North Catalina Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91106
USA
Subscriptions are available from the TPS headquarters.
Sincerely,
Guillermo A. Lemarchand,
Editor,
Bioastronomy News
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The 1993 Bioastronomy is Making Progress in the Search for
Extraterrestrial Life
More than 100 scientists announced new results and
provocative ideas about topics such as finding planetary systems,
Earth's prebiotic evolution and the search for extraterrestrial
intelligence at this year's symposium on bioastronomy. Held from
August 16 to 20 at the University of California at Santa Cruz,
this fourth triennial symposium brought together 120 scientists
from all over the world to discuss and debate the search for
extraterrestrial life. The conference emphasized the growing
amount of work being done by astronomers, academicians and other
researchers. Many new and powerful bioastronomy programs are
coming into existence, and many talented people now pursue work in
this growing field.
Detecting Stars and Planets in Dust Disks
Early in the conference, observing newly formed stars,
planets and protoplanets emerged as an important issue. Scientists
who use techniques such as infrared and optical observation have
made great strides in recent years. As Stephen Strom explained in
an invited lecture, these scientists have assembled extensive
evidence that indicates that massive dust disks are frequent
companions of newly formed stars. We now know that a major part of
the material that makes up these disks disappears quickly, in only
10 to 15 million years. But do these disks dissipate into space?
Do they form into planetesimals? We don't have these answers yet.
But many, perhaps all, older solar-type stars have remnant dust
disks, rings of dust that often extend some 200 astronomical units
(AU) from the central star. In the instances where we can get the
best information about these disks (such as the disks around the
stars Vega, Formalhaut and Beta Pictoris), we can determine that
the inner 100 AU of them is devoid of dust. Interestingly, this
distance (100 AU) is roughly the same size as the solar system. It
is tempting to think that the dust has indeed gone into the
formation of planetesimals, and, eventually, planets themselves.
How might we find the truth about this tantalizing possibility?
Any protoplanetary bodies or planetesimals will be very difficult
for us to see with our existing telescopes. Nevertheless, Vladimir
Strelnitsky of the National Air and Space Museum stated that we
might be able to detect these phenomena. He suggested that we can
probably detect previously undiscovered planets by using maser and
laser processes to amplify the protoplanetary or planetesimal
emissions that we receive here on Earth. In one of the truly
striking moments of the symposium, Norris reported that just such
an emission may well have already been observed. Norris and others
at the Australia Telescope National Facility, a new and powerful
aperture synthesis radio telescope system, have successfully
observed strong methanol maser sources in some protostellar disks.
These observations are striking in that the ATNF observes
"strings" of discrete sources, sometimes as many as eight,
arranged in nearly a straight line. This is just what we would
expect to see if we were observing a disk nearly edge- on, in
which there are protoplanetary condensations. When we're observing
a disk nearly edge-on, our line of sight passes through the
maximum amount of gas in the star's gas and dust disk, and this
leads the maximum possible maser or laser amplification of
radiation from condensations in the disk. Observations now
underway should let us reach clear conclusions about this matter
and may well lead to the discovery of other examples of this
exciting phenomenon.
Detecting Extrasolar Planetary Systems
While some scientists make great progress in the study of
protoplanetary disks, others continue to work to detect planetary
systems themselves. Long a dream of astronomers, detecting other
planetary systems has always seemed far beyond our grasp. The
prime obstacle to success is the small size of planets and the
fact that they shine-but in an insignificant way-by reflected
starlight. As a result, the typical apparent brightness of even a
major planet will be something like one millionth to one billionth
the brightness of the planet's star. Furthermore, at the distance
of even the nearest stars, the faint planet will appear in the
telescope very close to the parent star, and the faint light of
the planet will be seriously masked in the telescope by scattered,
diffracted starlight.
Nevertheless, to find these elusive planets, many astronomers
are proposing indirect ways to detect them. Four of these indirect
efforts are outlined in the table below.
The amount of ferment in the search for other planetary
systems is remarkable. Attendees came away from sessions about
planetary disks and systems with the feeling that humans will
certainly detect other planetary systems within the next decade.
Earth's Early Evolution
Another major subject of the conference was the study of the
early evolution of Earth, and, consequently, of other Earth-like
planets. Scientists have long believed that Earth's temperature
has always been just about what it is now. But that idea is being
seriously challenged. There is growing evidence that early Earth
had a surface temperature much higher than today's. This is a
surprising finding, because stellar evolution has shown quite
clearly that the Sun should have been as much as 30 percent
fainter when Earth first existed.
How do we reconcile this conflicting evidence? Several
ingenious answers were proposed at the symposium. Laurance Doyle
of NASA Ames Research Center proposed that perhaps the early Sun
was about five percent more massive than it is now. The brighter
Sun would of course lead to a warmer Earth. But where did the
extra mass go? Doyle proposed that it was lost in an intense solar
wind that existed during the first few billion years of the Sun's
life. To search for such solar wind in solar-type stars, he
proposed an observational test. Such winds should be observable
with radio telescopes.
In another proposal, Chris Chyba of the NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center suggested that early Earth was warmer because its
greenhouse effect was much greater than it is now. In yet another
recently published proposal, a scientist suggests that the tilt of
the Earth's axis has been changing erratically, and early in its
history, the Earth's axis was nearly in the plane of its orbit (as
the axis of Uranus is today). Earth's poles would then be warmer
than the equatorial regions are today, and the overall effect on
life would be the same as if the whole earth was much warmer.
Indeed, David Schwartzman of Howard University pointed out that
the temperature of early Earth would have strongly controlled
which life-forms might appear and when they would appear. Thus,
early Earth's temperature is of great importance to our
understanding of the development of life on our planet.
A related and popular subject is the role played by comets in
the development of life on Earth. In fact, we now recognize that
comets may have played many different and important roles. Growing
knowledge of the comets, as developed particularly by Chris Chyba,
indicates that cometary bombardment of Earth was the prime source
of our present Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Comets might even
have been the prime providers of the organic and other
biologically relevant materials from which life developed. Armand
Delsemme of the University of Toledo pointed out that perhaps it
was necessary for the solar system to have giant planets so that
many of the comets would be diverted into the inner planets to
deliver the needed materials to Earth. If so, only planetary
systems with giant planets will harbor Earth-like worlds that can
sustain life. Curiously, it seems that a planet like Earth must
be bombarded rather heavily for the water, atmosphere and
(perhaps) molecules necessary for life to start. However, if the
bombardment was too heavy, catastrophic events will occur, such as
the events that occurred 65 million years ago, so that Earth was
bombarded so often that the development of life was inhibited.
Just as with Goldilocks and the three bears, we may need not too
few or too many comets, but only a portion that is just right.
Adding to the excitement of this discussion was the most
spectacular observation announced at the symposium. Lewis Snyder
of the University of Illinois detected a radio spectral line from
an interstellar cloud at a frequency associated with the glycine
molecule.
Glycine is the simplest amino acid, one of only 20 amino
acids found in every living thing on Earth. Detecting glycine (or
another biological amino acid) has long been a goal of radio
astronomers, and it appears that the discovery has now been made
with the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland millimeter-wave array located
near Hat Creek, California. The source of the radiation is the
rich molecular cloud known as Sagittarius B2 (N), which is thought
to be close to the center of the Milky Way, about 25,000 light
years away. Scientists will determine that the detected radiation
is really from glycine only when they detect the molecule's
spectral line again. Efforts to do so are underway. However, the
similarities between the observed line and the laboratory-measured
glycine line are so perfect that the odds are high that Snyder has
detected interplanetary glycine.
SETI: Still Searching
None of the major searches for extraterrestrial intelligence
made an announcement as exciting as Snyder's, but, as might be
expected, much of the symposium was devoted to their ongoing
efforts. Four groups are conducting major searches for
extraterrestrial radio signals (see the table below). It was
pleasing to see that the financial support for these activities,
and the sophistication of the searches, is increasing greatly.
The symposium focused further on major advances in the
abilities of SETI instrumentation. Contrary to the belief that we
must be reaching the point of diminishing returns, advances in
computer technology are making possible improvements that would
have seemed fanciful only a few years ago.
SERENDIP (Search for Extraterrestrial Radio Emissions from
Nearby Developed Intelligent Populations) is already constructing
spectrum analyzers that can monitor 120 million channels at once
with 0.6 Hertz resolution.
The META (Megachannel Extraterrestrial Assay) Project, with
the sponsorship of The Planetary Society, is embarking on the BETA
I (Billion-channel Extraterrestrial Assay) Project, which will
produce 240 million channel systems with 0.5 hertz resolution.
Already on the drawing boards is BETA II, which will have six
billion channels with 0.05 hertz resolution.
Furthermore, NASA's High Resolution Microwave Survey is
designing its next generation of radio spectrum analyzers, which
will likely exhibit the same prowess as the ones just described,
but they will also be able to detect signals automatically.
Remarkably, since 1960, when the modern era of SETI began,
the search capability of our radio systems has been doubling every
250 days, or as pointed out at the symposium, by a factor of e,
the root of the natural logarithm, every year. The systems of
today are 100 trillion times more powerful than the systems of
1960. And no end in improvements is in sight.
Fresh SETI Approaches
Some speakers presented fresh ideas about ways other than
radio to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Once again we
were reminded that it is impossible to predict just what
manifestation of extraterrestrial technology may be the most
easily detected. We cannot analyze in advance the conclusion of
thinking beings far different from ourselves, nor can we know what
advanced technologies might exist elsewhere in the universe.
Robert Dixon of Ohio State University proposed a new form of
SETI radio telescope in which a number of small antennas would be
connected, using computer technology, to produce a system that can
monitor the entire sky at all times and yet have a substantial
energy collection area. This solves the present serious limitation
in SETI searches of having, in most cases, to look at only a few
stars at a time. However, as Dixon pointed out, the required
computer installation is probably well beyond our current
financial means.
Among other proposals, the use of large telescopes in space,
or on the far side of the Moon, was also proposed as the ideal
way, in the long run, to conduct SETI searches.
Education, Culture, Government
An entire new subject appeared at the symposium-education.
Bioastronomy was presented as the core of a general science
education curricula in elementary and secondary schools. As
described by Roberta Vaile, at the SETI Institute (with NASA and
National Science Foundation support) and at the University of
Western Sydney in Macarthur, Australia, we have mounted major
programs to produce general science curriculum material based on
the theme of life in the universe. Of course, people in general
and young people in particular are fascinated by the possibility
that there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. The
subject attracts students' interest and naturally introduces them
to many science concepts and areas-such as biology, chemistry,
evolution, physics, computer science and communication theory.
Another new subject that appeared-and whose study is long
overdue-was the interaction of SETI and its eventual discoveries
with culture and government. It is clear that, as bioastronomy and
SETI become more prominent and extensive programs, they will have
an increasingly larger effect on scientific priorities, funding,
and even the way in which humans look at themselves.
We need to understand the possible consequences of the
discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence, so that we can plan
for an eventual discovery. We must answer the question of who
replies to a received message. Major studies in these areas are
already being carried out, primarily under the leadership of John
Billingham of NASA Ames Research Center.
Bioastronomy Trends and Future
I was struck by two significant new trends at the symposium:
1. There were many new, talented people, turning their interests
and endeavors to research associated with the search for
extraterrestrial life
2. The field is growing rapidly, which is surprising and
gratifying in this time when scientific budgets are suffering
cutbacks all over the world
As the five days of meetings drew to a close, there was
finally a sense that bioastronomy had become a full-fledged
citizen of society, acknowledging and accepting its important
roles in Earth's science, education and culture.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
In Search of New Worlds: Indirect Methods of Finding Planets
1. Searching for small variations in the radial velocity of
stars.
Explanation: Small variations in a star's radial velocity
occur because the gravitational pull of the planet on the star
causes it to do a tiny "dance" in the sky. The star and planet
orbit around the center of gravity of the system, and this leads
to variable radial velocity in the star. No fewer than four groups
are pursuing this approach to the problem; indeed, this is where
most of the planet-search activity is.
Advantages: The observed effect is the same no matter how
far away the star is. As long as there is enough starlight to give
a high quality spectrum, astronomers can detect the effect.
Disadvantages: The method gives only a lower limit on the
mass of a planet, so astronomers might need to repeat the
detection many times to be sure that what they are detecting is a
planet-sized body.
2. Searching for perturbations in the proper motion of stars.
Explanation: Astronomers can look for a star's perturbed
motion. A star's motion might be perturbed in the same way as its
variations in radial velocity.
Advantages: Any observed perturbation provides an accurate
measure of the mass of the secondary body, so we will know for
sure whether the body is or is not of planetary mass.
Disadvantages: The observed effect decreases in proportion
to the distance to the star. This method doesn't work well with
any but the nearest stars.
3. Searching for small decreases in stellar brightness.
Explanation: Astronomers can look for minute decreases in a star's
brightness, which might be caused by a planets' passing in front
of the stellar disk. William Boroucki of NASA Ames Research Center
has proposed a launch of a spacecraft that is specifically
engineered to measure the brightness of some 5,000 stars
continuously.
Advantages: None.
Disadvantages: This method only works for systems where
Earth is almost in the ecliptic plane of the stellar system;
otherwise, planets will never pass in front of the star. This
means that thousands of stars must be observed almost continuously
(as Boroucki proposed) if we are to catch such an event. Even
then, it may be difficult to distinguish a planetary transit from
a change in stellar brightness caused by phenomena such as
sunspots.
4. Searching for slight variations in a star's proper motion.
Explanation: Dayton Jones of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
proposed this system of measuring stars' proper motion using a
radio astronomy technique-Very Long Baseline measurements. This
system would exploit the already demonstrated capability of VLBL
to detect angular displacements as small as microarcseconds. The
challenge is to detect both the star's emission and the emission
from a nearby "calibrator" object (such as a quasar), which can
serve as a position reference.
Advantages: This system is precise enough to detect planets
as small as Earth.
Disadvantages: Stellar emissions are faint at radio
wavelengths.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Major SETI Efforts
SERENDIP (Search for Extraterrestrial Radio Emissions from
Nearby Developed Intelligent Populations)*
Equipment: No dedicated searching antenna; instead uses the
output of radio astronomy receivers that are being used for
conventional astronomical observations; based in the University of
California, Berkeley
Capability: Monitors 4 million radio channels at once
Findings to date: This program has found 164 candidate
signals, but the data are insufficient to determine whether the
observed signals were of terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin.
Observers feel that most, and perhaps all, of these signals are
terrestrial radio interference.
META I and II (Mega-Channel Extraterrestrial Assay)*
Equipment: 84-foot antenna at Harvard University,
Massachusetts and a 30-meter antenna at the Argentine Institute of
Radio Astronomy, near Buenos Aires, Argentina
Capability: Monitors 8.4 million radio channels at once
Findings to date: Searchers recently reported detecting 37
candidate signals from META I and 10 from META II, but the data
are insufficient to determine whether the observed signals were of
terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin. Interestingly, the
observed candidate signals seem to cluster near the plane of the
Milky Way; this is what we would expect of signals coming from
distant civilizations in our galaxy.
NASA High-Resolution Microwave Survey*
Equipment: 34-meter antenna system in Goldstone, California
and 305-meter receiving dish system at the Arecibo Observatory in
Puerto Rico
Capability: Will soon monitor 14 million channels at once
Findings to date: Searchers have detected no good candidate
signals.
Ohio State University SETI Program*
Equipment: Rectangular telescope equivalent to a 53-meter
radio telescope system in Columbus,Ohio.
Capability: Soon to be upgraded to monitor more than
120million channels at once
Findings to date: This system detected one promising
candidate signal-the "Wow" signal-but searchers have been unable
to detect the signal again. (See "Heeding the Alarms: Tracking
SETI Signals," Bioastronomy News, Spring 1993, p. 2.)
*All four systems are connected to computers for data storage and
processing.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Author
Frank Drake
University of California, Santa Cruz and SETI Institute
------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM:
==================================================================
| |
| Guillermo A. Lemarchand |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| |
| POSTAL ADDRESS: C.C.8 -Suc.25, |
| 1425-Buenos Aires, |
| ARGENTINA |
| |
| E-MAIL: [email protected] |
| |
| PHONE: 54-1-774-0667 FAX: 54-1-786-8114 |
| |
==================================================================
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1993 10:28:07 ARG
% From: "Guillermo A. Lemarchand " <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: [email protected]
% Subject: Bioastronomy News
% X-List: [email protected]
% Reply-To: [email protected]
% Sender: [email protected]
|
| 760.57 | SETI News | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Tue Nov 09 1993 17:25 | 217 |
| Article: 46485
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Alfred A. Aburto)
Subject: Re: Amateur SETI?
Sender: [email protected] (Network News)
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1993 18:26:57 GMT
-------
What follows are further notes regarding the SETI efforts.
In the Sep/Oct 1993 issue of Mercury, The Journal of the Astronomical
Society of the Pacific, there is an article "The Search Goes On", by
Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California. There
is a bit of discussion of the NASA HRMS effort. It seems that the most
difficult problems are getting around the interference caused by Earthly
transmissions. The interference can be so strong that it causes problems
apparently even when coming in via the main beam side-lobes. So that
pointing the main beam at a target star, then away, then back, does not
always uncover and thus help eliminate terrestrial interference (bogus
signals).
There is also a note attached to the article: "NASA SETI Project KILLED
by Congress". It was interesting because it showed how much Senator
Richard Byran, D-Nev, whose amendment ended the program, is a foe of
SETI. Byran was quoted as saying: "The Great Martian Chase may finally
come to an end. As of today, millions have been spent and we have yet to
bag a single little green fellow. Not a single martian has said 'take me
to your leader', and not a single flying saucer has applied for FAA
approval". It is apparent that Senator Byran has no concept whatsoever
of what the SETI programs are all about.
There was also a note on "Listening on the Shoulders of Giants" by Tucker
Hiatt of the University of California at Berkeley. It discussed the
SERENDIP III SETI program. A 'parasitic' SETI which listens in the
background as radio telescopes (Arecibo) are utilized by other projects.
SERENDIP is supported in part by private donations. It is a small group
called 'Friends of SERENDIP'. It is headed by Arthur C. Clarke.
Interested people can join the Friends by writing to Professor Stuart
Bowyer, Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley,
California, 94720.
In the 05 Nov 93 San Diego Union-Tribune there was a front page article:
"A new life for search of galactic intellects", by David Graham, staff
writer. The article indicates that scientists have received funds from
private donors to continue some of the SETI work, which organizers
believe could lead to one of the greatest discoveries of all time.
According to the SETI Institute it needs $7.3 million to complete the
next 20 month long phase of the Targeted Search part of the former NASA
program. Pledges from private individuals already equal a "few million
of that" according to Seth Shostak, a spokesman for the SETI Institute.
The way it worked originally (I think) is that NASA funded the SETI
Institute to do the Targeted Search, and JPL directly to do the all Sky
Survey. With NASA support gone the SETI Institute can still try to get
private funding to continue the Targeted Search work, but the JPL work
ends since JPL is a NASA lab.
Hopefully the JPL hardware and personnel will be transitioned to other
radio astronomy work so that personnel, hardware, knowledge (expertise)
will not vanish but continue to improve waiting for a more receptive time.
In the San Diego Union-Tribune article it was also mentioned (from Sam
Gulkis of JPL) that there may only be 5-10 years left where effective
SETI work can be done from Earth. After that time there will be just
too much interference from Earthly sources and the numerous
communication and telivision satellites orbiting the Earth.
The SETI Institute can be reached at the following address:
The SETI Institute
2035 Landings Drive
Mountain View, California, 94043
An email address would be great but I don't know of such.
Al Aburto
[email protected]
-------
Article: 46453
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Alfred A. Aburto)
Subject: Re: Amateur SETI?
Sender: [email protected] (Network News)
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1993 19:20:18 GMT
-------
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Damon Scaggs) writes:
>Now that SETI in terms of federal sponsorship, I have been wondering
>if there is anything amateur astronomers can do to furthur the cause.
>Is it possible to build small radio telescopes that are sensitive enough
>on a reasonable budget? What about some form of collective effort?
>How about forming some association of amateurs that could build one
>larger instrument and allow remote access? Any other ideas?
A famous philosopher once said: "it ain't over till its over!" :-)
Leon Lederman wrote about this philosopher in a recent book ...
It certainly isn't over, and there is still a sparkling of life in the
SETI efforts. I've been reading about it in Journal articles, and in
the local newspapers (San Diego Union), and it is heartening to see the
interest expressed here on internet or usenet or whatever we call this
wonderful network.
First, I must tell you that amateur radio astronomers can help. I became
interested in doing this after reading the book: "First Contact, The
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence", Edited by Ben Bova and Byron
Preiss. There are articles in the book by Michael Klein, D. Kent Cullers,
Stuart Bowyer, Paul Horowitz, Frank Drake, Thomas McDonough, Michael
Papagiannis, Robert Dixon, Arthur C. Clarke, and others. Appendix A
is by D. Kent Cullers and William Alschuler and is titled "Amateur
Equipment for SETI". The system Dr. Cullers describes is: 12-foot TV dish
antenna (larger is even better of course), motorized antenna mount used
to track celestial sources for at least a few hours, antenna feed to work
at the frequencies of interest, Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), wideband radio
receiver (an ICOM IC-R7000 was suggested, but IC-R7100 is the latest
model, operates from 25 - 2000 MHz). The receiver speaker output could be
feed into an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter board in a Personal
Computer and then one could store and display the data. An FFT could be
done on the stored data (or perhaps real-time) and the result displayed
as time (y-axis) versus frequency (x-axis). A grey-scale or color-scale
would indicate the amplitude. The receiver and also the antenna can be
controlled directly from the PC. Dr. Cullers indicated this system could
be as sensitive as the current (now cancelled) NASA/JPL all sky survey if
the FFT was done over very narrow bandwidths (0.1 Hz say). The above
system (bought new, but reasonably) may cost up to $3K. Dr. Cullers
suggested testing the system out by trying to pick up Voyager II
currently at a range of about 40 AU and leaving the solar system at 3.5
AU/year. It transmits at 20 Watts at 8 GHz. A plot of its position until
1995 in the constellation of Sagittarius is shown in the book.
One thing an amateur can do is to 'camp out' at interesting stars or
regions and observe them for long periods of time (something I think is
_very_ important for success in the long run).
A fascinating project but also quite challenging. It is useful to join
the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) to ask for advise and
to see what others are doing. There are curently aproximately 200 members
world wide.
I might add that members of SARA have done quite large projects. One
fellow built a 50 ft fixed dish antenna. Others use multiple 12 or 16
foot dish antennas. Another person with an 'army of grad students' at
Georgia Tech is involved in refurbishing a 100 ft dish antenna south of
Atlanta (unused now for 10 years).
Al Aburto
[email protected]
-------
Article: 46480
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Wayne Hayes)
Subject: Re: Amateur SETI?
Date: 7 Nov 93 16:38:57 GMT
[email protected] (Damon Scaggs) writes:
>Now that SETI in terms of federal sponsorship, I have been wondering
>if there is anything amateur astronomers can do to furthur the cause.
Others have already responded to this directly. For those of us with
neither the money, time, or spunk to actually get into it directly, we
can still make our voices heard by joining and generously sponsoring
The Planetary Society, which is still active in privately funded SETI.
(Privately == anyone who wants to, you don't have to be a
millionaire.) See just about any recent issue of The Planetary Report
for details. I have no affiliation other than being a satisfied member.
Free plug time: their address is:
The Planetary Society
65 North Catalina Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
USA.
--
"The money spent on the Mars Observer was not sent to Mars. A few tons of metal
were. The engineering lessons and experience from building the spacecraft and
instruments will remain on Earth to benefit future missions if we choose to
undertake them." -- Steve Collins || Wayne Hayes [email protected]
Article: 46472
From: [email protected] (Edward T. Olsen)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Amateur Microwave & Optical SETI
Date: 7 Nov 1993 07:42:25 GMT
Organization: HRMS Sky Survey, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A slight correction to Kingsley's article:
The HRMS Targeted Search component, formerly administered by Ames
Research Center, may be carried out with private funding.
The HRMS Sky Survey component, formerly administered by the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, will NOT be carried out. That activity is
being shut down, and the technology transferred to the Deep Space
Network to support spacecraft acquisition and radio/radar astronomy
projects.
Edward Olsen
formerly
Sky Survey System Scientist
--
Edward T. Olsen
Mail Stop 169-506, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109
Phone: (818)-354-7604 INTERNET: [email protected] (Node: 128.149.82.1)
|
| 760.58 | International SETI Petition of 1982 | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Tue Nov 16 1993 13:45 | 102 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 12-NOV-1993
To: ETs - List <[email protected]>
CC:
Subj: International SETI Petition 1982
Dear Friends:
The following letter appeared for the first time in SCIENCE,
vol.218, p.426, 1982 and then in many other places. It was signed
by more than 80 well known scientists, including 6 Nobel Prize
Winners.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE: AN INTERNATIONAL PETITION
THE HUMAN SPECIES is now able to communicate with other
civilizations in space, if such exist. Using current radio-
astronomical technology, it is possible for us to receive signals
from civilizations no more advanced than we are over a distance of
at least many thousands of light years. The cost of a systematic
international research effort, using existing radiotelescopes, is
as low as a few million dollars per year for one or two decades.
The program would be more than a million times more thorough than
all previous searches, by all nations, put together. The results
--whether positive or negative-- would have profound implications
for our view of our universe and ourselves.
WE BELIEVE such a coordinated program is well justified on
its scientific merit. It will also have important subsidiary
benefits for radioastronomy in general. It is a scientific
activity that seems likely to garner substantial public support.
In addition, because of the growing problem of radiofrequency
interference by civilian and military transmitters, the search
program will become more difficult the longer we wait. This is the
time to begin.
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED that the apparent absence of a major
reworking of the Galaxy by very advanced beings, or the apparent
absence extraterrestrials colonists in the solar system
demonstrates that there are no extraterrestrial intelligent beings
anywhere. At the very least, this argument, depends on a major
extrapolation from the circumstances on Earth, here and now. The
radio search, on the other hand, assumes nothing about other
civilizations that has not transpired in ours.
THE UNDERSIGNED are scientists from a variety of disciplines
and nations who have considered the problem of extraterrestrial
intelligence --some of us for more than 20 years. We represent a
wide variety of opinion on the abundance of extraterrestrials, on
the ease of establishing contact, and on the validity of arguments
of the sort summarized in the first sentence of the previous
paragraph. But we are unanimous in our conviction that the only
first significant test of the existence of extraterrestrial
intelligence is an experimental one. No "a priori" arguments on
this subject can be compelling or should be used as a substitute
for an observational program. We urge the organization of a
coordinated, worldwide and systematic search for extraterrestrial
intelligence.
CARL SAGAN; DAVID BALTIMORE, RICHARD BERENDZEN, JOHN BILLINGHAM,
MARGARET BURBIDGE, MELVIN CALVIN, A.G.W. CAMERON, M.S. CHANDRA, S.
CHANDRASEKHAR, FRANCIS CRICK, ROBERT S. DIXON, T. M. DONAHUE,
FRANK DRAKE, LEE DU BRIDGE, FREEMAN DYSON, MANFRED EIGEN, THOMAS
EISNER, JAMES ELLIOT, GEORGE FIELD, VITALY GINZBURG, THOMAS GOLD,
LEO GOLDBERG, PETER GOLDRIECH, J. RICHARD GOTT III, STEPHEN JAY
GOULD, TOR HAGFORS, STEPHEN W. HAWKING, DAVID HEESCHEN, JEAN
HEIDMANN, GERHARD HERZBERG, Rev THEODORE HESBURGH, PAUL HOROWITZ,
FRED HOYLE, ERIC JONES, JUN JUGAKU, N.S.KARDASHEV, KEN KELLERMANN,
MICHAEL KLEIN, RICHARD LEE, PER-OLOF LINBLAD, PAUL McLEAN, M.Y.
MAROV, M. MESELSON, MARVIN MINSKY, M. MORIMOTO, PHILIP MORRISON,
BRUCE MURRAY, W.I. NEWMAN, BERNARD OLIVER, JAN H. OORT, ERNST J.
OPIK, LESLIE ORGEL, FRANCO PACINI, MICHAEL PAPAGIANNIS, LINUS
PAULING, RUDOLF PESEK, W.H. PICKERING, CYRIL PONNAMPERUMA, EDWARD
PURCELL, DAVID RAUP, GROTE REBER, MARTIN J. REES, DALE RUSSELL,
ROALD SAGDEEV, CLAUDE SHANNON, I.S. SHKLOVSKII, JILL TARTER, LEWIS
THOMAS, KIP S. THORNE, V.S.TROITSKY, SEBASTIAN VON HOERNER,
EDWARD WILSON, BEN ZUCKERMAN, etc, etc..
---
==================================================================
| |
| Guillermo A. Lemarchand |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| |
| POSTAL ADDRESS: C.C.8 -Suc.25, |
| 1425-Buenos Aires, |
| ARGENTINA |
| |
| E-MAIL: [email protected] |
| |
| PHONE: 54-1-774-0667 FAX: 54-1-786-8114 |
| |
==================================================================
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 23:28:35 ARG
% From: "Guillermo A. Lemarchand " <[email protected]>
% To: ETs - List <[email protected]>
% Subject: International SETI Petition 1982
% X-List: [email protected]
% Reply-To: [email protected]
% Sender: [email protected]
|
| 760.59 | SETI project continues under private funding | SKYLAB::FISHER | Carp Diem : Fish the Day | Thu Jan 13 1994 13:56 | 20 |
|
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (UPI) -- Organizers of a project searching for
intelligent life in space announced Wednesday they have collected more
than $4 million in private donations to make up for NASA funding cuts.
Bernard M. Oliver, senior technical adviser to the Search for
Extraterrestial Intelligence (SETI), said $4.4 million of the group's
$7.3 million funding goal has been collected so far.
Among those who have made donations are David Packard and William
Hewlett of Hewlett-Packard Corp.; Gordon Moore, chairman of the board of
Intel Corp.; Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft; and science fiction
writer Arthur C. Clarke.
``We are gratified, but not surprised, that among the major donors
are knowledgeable, visionary corporate leaders,'' Oliver said.
The funds will allow the SETI project to modify and improve the
digital receivers developed while the effort was being funded by NASA.
The equipment is scheduled to be deployed at the Parkes Radio Astronomy
Observatory in New South Wales, Australia, for a six-month search of
space from the southern hemisphere.
The group hopes to zero in on Alpha Centauri, the closest neighboring
star system to Earth that is best observed from the southern hemisphere.
|
| 760.60 | The Arecibo radio message, sent to M13 in 1974 | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Fri Jan 14 1994 13:02 | 158 |
| Article: 81221
From: [email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: SETI
Date: 13 Jan 1994 00:31:51 GMT
Organization: LESC
Below is a copy of Frank Drake's message to the globular star cluster
Messier 13.
I will provide the translation later (or someone else can) but you
might see how much you can decode yourself.
In the book _Murmurs of Earth, The Voyager Interstellar Record_ by
Carl Sagan et al (1978), Frank Drake writes about the message
transmitted on Nov. 16, 1974 to celebrate the installation of the
upgrade to the reflector surface on the 1000 foot Arecibo radio
telescope and the 500 kW transmitter.
"It was directed toward the great globular cluster of stars in the
constellation Hercules known as Messier 13, some 25,000 light-years
away. It will take the message 25,000 years to reach the 300,000
stars of Messier 13, passing perhaps 30 other stars along the way."
(the figure caption:)
"The Arecibo message of November 1974. In this case, the two
characters were sent by switching the radio transmitter between two
radio frequencies about 75 cycles per second apart. The basic radio
frequency was 2380 Megahertz. The characters were sent at a rate of
10 per second."
"The message is written as 73 groups of 23 characters."
----------*-*-*-*------
--*-------*-*-----*-*--
-*--**-*--*---*---*---*
--*--*--*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
-----------------------
---------**------------
---------*-**----------
---------*-**----------
---------*-*-*---------
---------*****---------
-----------------------
---**----**---***----**
----*--**-------------*
-*-**----**---**---*-**
*****-*****-*****-*****
-----------------------
-*-----------------*---
-----------------------
*-----------------*----
*****-------------*****
-----------------------
---**---***----**----**
----*---------*-------*
-*-**--***---**----*-**
*****-*****-*****-*****
-----------------------
-*---------**------*---
-----------**----------
*----------**-----*----
*****------**-----*****
-----------**----------
--*--------*--------*--
---*-------**------*---
----*------**----**----
-----**----*---**------
-------**--**----------
-----**----*---**------
----*------**----**----
---*--------*------*---
--*--------**-------*--
--*--------**--------*-
---*-------*---------*-
----*-------*-------*--
-----**------------*---
-------**--------**----
---------**-*-***---*--
------------*-------*--
----------*****-----*--
**-**-*--*-***-*----*--
******--*--***--*------
***-**-----***----***-*
**-***-----*-*---------
******-----*-*------*--
----**-----*-*------*--
----------**-**-----*--
-----------------------
------------*-----***--
*-*-*-*-*-*---*-*-***--
--*-*-*-*---------***--
------*-*--------------
----------*****--------
--------*********------
------***-------***----
-----**-----------**---
----**-*---------*-**--
---**--**-------**--**-
---*---*-*-----*-*---*-
---*---*--*---*--*---*-
-------*---*-*---*-----
-------*----*----*-----
-------*---------*-----
----------*-*--*-------
---****--*-*****--****-
Today, this message is 9.1 light years out from the Sun, or 86
trillion kilometers.
Of course, there are also all those other signals mixed in, including
the short clips of TV signals slipping out as the Earth rotates. The
ETs don't get a full show, just a few seconds of each channel.
Imagine... DECADES of channel surfing. Maybe when they arrive, they
will tell us (in a loud, commanding voice) "GIVE US THE REMOTE CONTROL!"
P.S. The book is very good. It describes making the message for
aliens that was attached to the Voyager (aka VGER) spacecraft now
leaving the solar system. It is an interesting problem to try to
describe Earth in 118 pictures and 90 minutes of sound.
* [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 * ISU'91 USA *
* Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
Article: 81241
From: [email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: SETI
Date: 13 Jan 1994 14:36:10 GMT
Organization: LESC
>Excerpts from netnews.sci.space: 13-Jan-94 Re: SETI by Eric
>[email protected]
>> "The Arecibo message of November 1974. In this case, the two
> ^^^^
...
>> Today, this message is 9.1 light years out from the Sun, or
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>> 86 trillion kilometers.
>
>Forgive me for nitpicking (annoying things, nits) but I thought radio
>waves travelled at the speed of light... 1 light year per year. So
>wouldn't the message be about 19 light years out by now?
>
> Aaron Teske <[email protected]>
1994! Already? Why wasn't I TOLD?! (I've _got_ to catch up on some
of these old magazines..)
OK. Make that 19.1 light-years, and 181 trillion kilometers.
* [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 * ISU'91 USA *
* Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
|
| 760.61 | Project Phoenix - SETI rises again! | JVERNE::KLAES | Be Here Now | Mon Mar 07 1994 15:35 | 374 |
| Article: 83762
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: [email protected] (Email Digest Server)
Subject: Message from Space Digest
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: [via International Space University]
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 1994 15:08:52 GMT
Originally from: [email protected] (Operator)
Subject: Project Phoenix
Begin forwarded message:
Date: 2 Mar 1994 13:01:09 -0800
From: "Peter Backus" <[email protected]>
Subject: Project Phoenix
Content-Type: x-see-attachments
To: "Mike Flora" <[email protected]>
X-Attachments: "PHOENIX3.TXT" (type: text)
12:42 PM
OFFICE MEMO Time:
Subject:
Project Phoenix#000#
03-02-94
Date:
Mike,
Here is a modified news release that describes the background and
status of the project and the fund raising. I am preparing a short
description of the equipment and the observing plan that I will send
to you later today. We have set up a new email address at the
Institute for information about Project Phoenix:
[email protected] . It is listed along with the Institute
address at the end of the text below. Thanks, Peter#000#
<<<<<< Attached TEXT file follows >>>>>>
PRIVATE FUNDING UNDERWAY TO RESCUE SEARCH FOR LIFE IN SPACE
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: Scientists at the SETI
Institute have been raising private funds for "Project Phoenix", an
effort designed to capitalize on the technology and momentum of the
now-canceled NASA program, and to continue a major part of the search.
The new project will use mammoth radio antennas and sophisticated
digital receivers to try to discover signals from civilizations on
planets around other stars. Such signals,if found, would prove the
existence of societies elsewhere in the Galaxy and could contain
information about their cultural and cientific achievements.
Project Phoenix will be a large-scale search program
incorporating most aspects of NASA's former search of the vicinities
of 1,000 nearby sun-like stars that began on October 12, 1992. The
NASA project was terminated by Congress last October 1 - less than one
year into its approved ten-year life. This action, a token concession
to deficit reduction pressures, was taken despite the objections of
many knowledgeable Congressmen who defended the project as good,
worthwhile science.
"Recent developments in our private fund-raising efforts have
been very encouraging. Since October 1, 1993, we have already
obtained commitments for $4.4 million. This is more than halfway to
our initial goal of $7.3 million needed to carry us through mid-1995,"
said Bernard M. Oliver, retired Vice-President of Research and
Development for Hewlett Packard, and SeniorTechnical Expert for the
SETI Institute.
"We are gratified, but not surprised, that among the major
donors are knowledgeable, visionary corporate leaders," Oliver said.
These donors include David Packard and William R. Hewlett of the
Hewlett-Packard Corporation; Gordon Moore, co-founder and Chairman of
the Board for the Intel Corporation; and Paul Allen, co-founder of
Microsoft Corporation and founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive
Officer for the Bellevue, Washington-based Asymetrix Corporation and
owner of the Portland Trailblazers basketball team. According to
Oliver, who is also a significant financial contributor to Project
Phoenix, "The importance of continuing SETI is so widely recognized
that the Institute is confident that the near-term funding goal will
be met."
These funds will enable the SETI Institute first to modify and
improve the digital receivers, developed by NASA, and then to deploy
this equipment at the Parkes radio astronomy observatory in New South
Wales, Australia, for Southern Hemisphere observations during the
first half of 1995. At the conclusion of the Australian observations,
the Phoenix receiving equipment will be moved to Northern Hemisphere
observatories, beginning with the 1,000-foot diameter radio telescope
at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The total observational phase is planned to
last into the next century. Arecibo, a primary instrument for Project
Phoenix and the world's largest radio observatory, is in the midst of
a planned upgrade making it unavailable until mid-1995.
"There is a narrow time window for us to go to Australia," said
SETI Institute Executive Director Thomas Pierson. "We already have a
solid block of approved observing time on the 210 foot Parkes antenna
in the first six months of 1995. We must use it now, because for more
than five years thereafter that facilitys fully subscribed for
tracking NASA, Japanese, and Russian spacecraft in addition to its
normal radio astronomy programs." He notes that many of Project
Phoenix's target stars -- including our nearest neighbor, Alpha
Centauri -- are best observed only from the Southern Hemisphere, and
that Parkes is the only large antenna available for appreciable
amounts of time in that half of the world. Institute scientists will
be working closely with their colleagues in New South Wales.
Pierson's sense of urgency is justified by the increasing
radio frequency interference (RFI) from terrestrial and satellite
transmitters that continue to obscure more and more of the microwave
radio frequency bands where interstellar transmitters are believed
most likely to operate. "The RFI problem is only going to get worse,"
said Pierson. "We are compelled to press on to Australia or lose an
opportunity that has no viable alternative."
Noted science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke has made a
significant donation through the British Interplanetary Society to
increase public awareness in the U.K. of the SETI Institute's
objectives. Efforts are also underway in Japan to provide upport for
project Phoenix. Astrophysicist Jill C. Tarter, former Project
Scientist for the defunct NASA SETI effort and now Manager of Project
Phoenix, says "An international funding base for SETI is appropriate.
Any signal will have been sent to planet Earth and not just to the
USA. All of humanity should share in the philanthropic support of
this bold attempt to end our cosmic isolation."
SETI Institute Public Programs Scientist Seth Shostak stated,
"The Institute is also considering long term plans that might include
the construction of one or more 300 foot class dedicated radio
telescopes." Plans are also being made to expand the current
development of educational programs for elementary and middle school
children. The Institute's current education efforts have won
enthusiastic acceptance in schools nationwide. Shostak noted that
these activities are supplemental to the Phoenix core observing
program and will be separately supported.
The Institute plans to continue to approach individuals who
share its outlook on SETI and who have the means to provide
substantial financial help. Once the initial goal of $7.3 million is
met, the next need will be to raise at least $3 million per year to
sustain the decade-long observation phase. In addition to the major
donors, people from many walks of life who believe in the SETI
enterprise, have made spontaneous contributions.
"The private support reaffirms the importance of SETI," says
Frank Drake, SETI Institute President. "I look forward to a day,
perhaps not far off, when we hear the first evidence proving we are
not alone in the Universe."
Information about Project Phoenix can be obtained from the
SETI Institute, 2035 Landings Drive,
Mountain View, California 93043, USA
Telephone: 1-415-961-6633
Facsimile 1-415-961-7099
E-mail: [email protected]
3/2/94
Article: 83765
Newsgroups: sci.space
From: [email protected] (Email Digest Server)
Subject: Message from Space Digest
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: [via International Space University]
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 1994 15:21:04 GMT
Originally From: [email protected] (Operator)
Subject: Phoenix TSS Description
Begin forwarded message:
Date: 2 Mar 1994 15:46:06 -0800
From: "Peter Backus" <[email protected]>
Subject: Phoenix TSS Description
Content-Type: x-see-attachments
To: "Mike Flora" <[email protected]>
X-Attachments: "TSS.TXT" (type: text)
3:30 PM
OFFICE MEMO Time:
Subject:
Phoenix TSS Description#000#
03-02-94
Date:
Hi Mike,
Here's a brief description of the Phoenix Targeted Search System and
the observation plan. Thanks, Peter#000#
<<<<<< Attached TEXT file follows >>>>>>
The SETI Targeted Search System for Project Phoenix
Peter R. Backus
SETI Institute
2035 Landings Drive
Mountain View, CA 94043
[email protected]
After only one year of operation, NASA's SETI project, the High
Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS), was canceled due to budgetary
pressures in October of 1993. In order to achieve some return on the
approximately $60M invested in developing the HRMS signal processing
systems, the SETI Institute is raising funds to complete the Targeted
Search portion of the planned HRMS. The following is a brief
description of the Targeted Search System and the observation plan for
Project Phoenix.
Observational Requirements
The characteristics of the Targeted Search System (TSS) are determined
by the observational requirements. The TSS must:
- search for artificial signals that:
- have a narrow bandwidth
(< 300 Hz, narrowest natural maser lines)
- are highly polarized
- drift in frequency by less that 10**-9 Hz/sec/Hz
- may be continuously present or pulsed
- search the "Microwave Window" from 1 GHz to 3 GHz
- use the largest available radio telescopes to achieve high sensitivity
- observe each frequency band for at least 300 seconds
- observe approximately 1000 sun-like stars within a distance of
100 light years
- conduct the search with near real time processing so
that candidate signals may be tested immediately
- be highly automated to minimize operator interaction
and increase the quality and uniformity of the search.
The Targeted Search System
The TSS is a transportable SETI system that is used in conjunction
with existing radio telescopes for high sensitivity SETI observations.
It is composed of several subsystems.
RF/IF Subsystem
Since no observatories currently provide continuous frequency coverage
from 1 GHz to 3 GHz, the TSS includes its own receiver system. Two
cryogenically cooled HEMT amplifiers cover the ranges: 1.0-1.7 GHz and
1.6-3.0 GHz. A separate dielectric loaded feed horn is used for each
of the two bands. The receivers provide an instantaneous bandwidth of
300 MHz and a system temperature of 25K or better. The RF signal is
downconverted to an intermediate frequency (IF) and a 20 MHz bandwidth
is selected for processing. This 20 MHz band is converted to baseband,
quadrature sampled, digitized, and sent to the multichannel spectrum
analyzer.
MultiChannel Spectrum Analyzer (MCSA) Subsystem
The MCSA is the heart of the TSS. It is composed of two units, each
dividing a 10 MHz bandwidth (20 MHz total) into millions of
simultaneous narrow channels that can be analyzed for signals by
special-purpose signal detection computers. This basic function could
be accomplished by a straightforward Fourier Transform, but the MCSA
must use a polyphase filter approach to meet other requirements. One
of the major challenges facing any SETI program is radio frequency
interference (RFI) from our own communications, radar, and navigation
signals. To minimize the impact of strong local signals, the MCSA is
composed of two layers of digital band pass filters (BPF) followed by
a Fourier Transform. Each BPF divides the spectrum by a factor of
approximately 100 with adjacent filter bands isolated by more than 100
dB. This high degree of out-of-band rejection prevents strong signals
from contaminating the entire observing band. The output samples from
the second BPF are Fourier transformed to provide frequency channels
with resolutions as narrow as 1 Hz. Such fine resolution is required
for detecting continuous (CW) signals such as carriers.
In order to accommodate pulsed signals, the MCSA simultaneously
performs multiply FFTis to divide the band into channels with three
widths ranging from 1 Hz to 28 Hz. This provides sensitivity to pulses
with durations ("on" time) from 0.02 to 1.5 seconds. Since pulses are
unlikely to be synchronous with the Earth-based clocks that define the
sampling times for the MCSA, successive spectra are overlapped in time
by 50%.
The channels in the MCSA overlap each other slightly in frequency,
providing near-optimum response to both CW and pulsed signals whether
they remain in a channel or drift in frequency by as much as one
channel per second.
The MCSA occupies two standard equipment racks and has a sustained
computation rate of approximately 75 Gflops.
Signal Detection Subsystem
The CW signal detector analyzes the finest resolution output of the
MCSA for continuous signals that have a signal to noise ratio in a
single channel of 0.25 or greater. At frequencies up to 2 GHz the 1
Hz resolution is used. Above 2 GHz the 2 Hz resolution is processed
in order to compensate for the larger Doppler drift range. At the 1
Hz resolution, the CW detector receives 80.5 million spectral power
measurements per second. (28.74 million channels per polarization
every 0.714 seconds.) Since the time-bandwidth product of the data
samples is unity, the data rate is the same at the 2 Hz and all other
resolutions.
The algorithm used to efficiently add along all potential drifting
signal paths in the frequency-time plane requires that all of the data
be stored during the 300 second observation. This is accomplished
with a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). After the
observation is complete, the stored data are processed through a set
of four custom circuit boards that perform 3.2 million additions per
second. While these data are processed, a second bank of RAIDs store
the data from a new observation.
Since pulsed signals are expected to be relatively strong when they
are ioni, the data from the MCSA can be "thresholded" before
processing. Only channels with power values greater than a predefined
threshold are passed to the pulsed signal detector. The threshold is
set so that in the presence of noise alone, only about one channel in
10**5 will pass. The reduced data can be pictured as a sparse matrix
in the frequency-time plane. The data are stored on a 1 GB disk and a
commercial i860 processor board is used to search for regularly spaced
pulses in the data.
System Control Subsystem (SCS)
The SCS provides monitor and control of the TSS subsystems, automated
observation control, interaction with the host observatory control
computer, display of selectable subsets of data, and selection,
evaluation and testing of candidate signals. The SCS is implemented
on HP9000/755 and /735 workstations in a client/server architecture.
Follow-up Devices (FUD)
In order to have immediate independent testing of candidate signals, a
stand-alone subsystem is being developed. The so-called Follow-up
Device (FUD) can operate at a remote antenna site, which in general
will have a smaller antenna than the main observing site. Using the
reported characteristics of the candidate signal, the FUD can form a
matched filter for that signal and make up for the smaller collecting
area. The FUD can process up to sixteen 10 kHz bands using a custom
FFT board with Plessey FFT chips. The matched filtering for each
candidate signal band is accomplished with a commercial i860 processor
board.
Planned Observations
In November, the TSS will be transported to the Parkes Observatory in
Australia. Beginning in January, 1995, a dedicated SETI observing
session will begin. With only a few interruptions for time-critical
radio astronomy, the Phoenix observations will extend through May.
During that time approximately 200 solar-type stars within 100 light
years will be observed.
After the observations of the southern hemisphere (south of
declination -35 degrees) are complete, the TSS will be shipped to the
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. There, at the worldis largest
antenna, Project Phoenix will continue and extend the observations
begun by the NASA HRMS in October of 1992.
Later in the decade, the TSS will probably visit the upgraded Nancay
telescope in France. This antenna will allow observations of stars
that are beyond the declination limits of Arecibo and Nancay.
"A man will come to know true happiness only when he accepts that he
is but a small part of an infinite Universe." - Spinoza [paraphrased]
|
| 760.62 | Some current SETI programs | MTWAIN::KLAES | Keep Looking Up | Tue Jun 14 1994 18:17 | 52 |
| Article: 61028
From: dreher@coma (john dreher 753b)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Search for Intelligent Life
Date: 13 Jun 1994 04:16:50 GMT
Organization: SETI Institute
Sender: [email protected]
Several SETI projects are ongoing at present. Some of the most
ambitious are described below. I've pulled the numbers out of my head
-- contact the various groups for more definitive data.
1. The UC Berkeley SERENDIP system is presently working at around 430
MHz in piggy-back mode at Arecibo. The detector has a bandwidth of
2.4 MHz which it splits into 4 million channels. It is stepped 3 or 4
times in frequency to expand the spectral coverage to nearly 10 MHz.
The entire sky accessible to the Arecibo antenna (about 25% of the
entire sky) is surveyed, but somewhat erratically, since they are
getting a free ride on an extra receiver system and are not controlling
the antenna pointing. Sensitivity should be about 40 E-26 W/m^2.
2. The Harvard META system completed a northern sky survey and is now
engaged in (or perhaps finished with?) a joint observing program with
an antenna in Argentina. Narrow regions of spectrum around the
so-called 'magic' frequencies at one and two times that of the 21 cm
transition of neutral atomic hydrogen have been surveyed with an 8
million channel spectrometer with 400 kHz bandwidth. Sensitivity was
1700 E-26 W/m^2.
3. OSU has had a long-running survey of frequencies near the hydrogen
line which will be vastly improved by the imminent installation of a 4
million channel SERENDIP type system.
4. The former Targeted Search portion of the cancelled NASA HRMS
Project, now Project Phoenix at the SETI Institute, has obtained
enough funds to complete a slightly reduced set of equipment that we
plan first to use for a 6-month observing run at the Parkes 64m
antenna in Australia, backed up by a confirmation system at the Mopra
antenna near Siding Springs. The spectrometer provides 40 MHz of
coverage (usually configured as a dual-polarization 20 MHz system)
with about 67 million channels at three resolutions ranging from 1 to
28 Hz. For each of 172 stars (selected to be similar to our sun and
within 50 ly) the spectrometer will be stepped in frequency to cover
the 1200 to 3000 MHz portion of the microwave spectrum. Slowly
drifting 'CW' signals will be detected down to 5 E -26 W/m^2 or less.
Pulsed signals of even smaller average power should be detectable.
When the upgraded Arecibo is ready, we plan to observe there at a
sensitivity of better than 0.3 E-26 W/m^2.
John Dreher [email protected]
SETI Institute
|
| 760.63 | TOPS - Towards Other Planetary Systems | MTWAIN::KLAES | Keep Looking Up | Tue Jun 21 1994 13:50 | 207 |
| From: US4RMC::"ASTRO%[email protected]" "Astronomy Discussion
List" 21-JUN-1994 11:41:33.30
To: Multiple recipients of list ASTRO <ASTRO%[email protected]>
CC:
Subj: Idea for huge Earth orbiting telescope
Servus Astros
Some weeks ago I received the TOPS-report. TOPS is an acronym for
Toward Other Planetary Systems, a report by the Solar System
Exploration Division. It is a nice book that deals with indirect und
direct planet detection around other stars and trys to estimate how
much to push current technology until planets around other stars can
be detected. Thank you for sending the book to me.
The TOPS-Program is divided into three parts:
o TOPS-0 : Focusses on indirect detection, mainly Earth based observation
o TOPS-1 : High Tech satellites, partly direct und indirect detection
o TOPS-2 : Science-Fiction instruments in space or moon to investigate
planet attributes directly.
Indirect Detection: Small tumbling of star around barycenter.
-------------------
o Astrometry (precision needed: ~ 10 Mikro-Arcsec !!)
o Radial Velocity measurement (precision needed: ~ 5 m/sec or better !!)
But: Limited by internal star's atmosphere movements.
Indirect detection takes about 10 years until Jupiter-like planet
orbits can be detected clearly, but Earth-like planets have smaller
masses, and are even harder to detect. Planet masses are like flew
masses against elphant masses of the stars, so instrument precision
must be very very accurate.
Direct Detection: Faint planet light in optical or infrared or sub-mm-waves
-----------------
o Interferometric Observation
Long baselines, much longer than any mirror to separete star light and
very faint planet light.
o Full aperture observation
Huge telescope diameters (8 meters or more) together with extremely
smooth surfaces will be needed together with special coronagraphs
to detect faint and nearby planets around a star. But earh's
atmosphere is a big problem, and even in space diffraction (Airy
rings) is a big problem.
Current technology should be able to detect the faint light from a
planet using large light collecting areas, but the star light is so
much brighter (at least 5 magnitudes) and planets are so close to
their stars ( ~ 50 Milli-Arcsec) that diffraction is a very big
problem that can be overcome only with enourmous telescope apertures:
16, 25, or even 200 meters !!!
My opinion: Full aperture observation with 100 m diameter telescopes
or bigger, orbiting the Earth in space would be best (no gravitational
problems that deformate mirror, no atmosphere, much nearer and cheaper
than moon based observatories that would have gravity problems, too).
But nobody can produce such a big monolithic mirror on Earth and
launch it due to its enormous size and mass. Producing off axis
segments of a mirror and assembling them on a carry structure like for
the Keck Telescopes on Hawaii is very complicated because grinding
off-axis-parabola mirrors is not easy. Here are my ideas for space
based huge telescopes: Model 1 is for reference only, because I think
that model 2 is the best.
Model 1: Facetted Spherical mirror with very long focal length.
---------------------------------------------------------------
o Only when focal length is very long compared to mirror diameter,
the need for parabolized surfaces due to optical artefacts is not
given any more. A spherical surface is good, too.
o Long focal length is OK, because interesting objects like planet systems
are very small (< 1 Arcsec)
o Production of the mirror facets on Earth is easier than for a parabolic
mirror. Only focal length of each mirror facet must be equal to the
other mirrors. But influence of Earth's gravity might complicate this.
o Many launches to bring mirror facets and telescope structure in space.
o Assemble the mirror facets in space.
Model 1 is still complicated: produce IDENTICAL facets and MOUNT them
properly. But it should be possible with current technology. Only
costs are a problem. But there might be severe problems with
diffraction due to facetation of the mirror that makes the star's
image to spill the planet's images even more. Another problem as seen
with HST: Gravity on Earth deforms the mirrors !! And launching is
very dangerous for the facets (shocks, big acceleration). I am still
astonished that the HST mirror survived its launching.
Model 2: Rotation formed Parabolic Mirror !!!
---------------------------------------------
As you know, a rotating liquid on Earth with its gravity produces the
form of a paraboloid - just the form you need to produce perfect
reflector mirrors ! I read about Earth based mirrors that are rotating
liquid buckets and that serve as relatively cheap laser mirrors with
over 3 m diameter. Of course that mirrors only can point to the zenit.
Here is my suggestion for a space based model.
o Mill facets, shaped as parts of a big paraboloid with Numerically
Controlled milling machines to achieve surface accuracy of some micrometer.
( Material e.g. metal, plastic, ... )
o Launch the facets into space (involves several to many missions)
o Assemble the complete paraboloid structure in space.
o Rotate the paraboloid around its optical axis.
o Switch on gravity (e.g. accelerate the paraboloid along optical axis)
o Spill a special liquid on the paraboloid shape to form a true and smooth
paraboloid that hides all the imperfectness of the original paraboloid.
o Make that liquid to become hard.
o Evaporate Aluminum or some other highly reflective stuff onto the surface..
(Yeah, best vacuum ever seen !!)
Model 2 is a complete new way to make mirrors. Its critical stages of
fabrication take place in space, the location where it will work
later. Of course there are some questions that must be solved:
o Which matter has following attributes
- liquid in space environment (or do we need heating and artificial
atmosphere during mirror surface production ?)
- hard after some minutes (due to chemical or physical reaction ?)
e.g. UV-light might make the light being hard.
- very smooth surface after hardening.
Maybe liquid should be spilled several times to get a smoother and
smoother surface. Maybe mercury might have some of the desired attributes.
o We need constant and relative long acceleration during the liquid phase.
Perhaps chemical rockets burn not constantly. That would produce a bad
mirror surface. Perhaps ionospheric rocket motors may be used
to fine tune exact acceleration values.
Maybe we could aquire acceleration with rotating the mirror hanging
on a long rod that holds a balancing weight on the other side. Imagine
a bucket filled with water. Swing your arm with the bucket, and water will
be pressed against the bottom even if the bucket is over your head.
In order to get a undisturbed liquid paraboloid that rod should be very
long compared to the mirror diameter (several kilometers !). And you need
a heavy weight on the other end of the rod to "hold" the mirror.
o The liquid matter must rotate with a speed proportioanl to the
distance to rotation axis. In order to save time reaching this equilibrium,
there should be many sources of liquid behind the mirror. that prerotate
with the mirror before the critical acceleration and spilling phase starts.
All questions could be addressed by several space experiments as an
addition or substitute to classic micro-gravity experiments. Note:
Edison took over 8,000 materials until he found the right stuff for the
electrical light.
In opposition to model 1 there is no need for correction of the mirror
shape due to gravitation because the precise form will be aquired in
space when everything has been mounted to a big mirror, during "liquid
phase" And the artificial acceleration forces are small compared to
Earth's gravity forces.
o Another advantage: Micrometeorites might crash the miror and reduce its
efficiency. No problem: Spill further liquid on the damaged surface,
harden it, evaporate with reflective material -> Repaired in space.
Of cource such an instrument not only could investigate other
planetary systems, it might be used to study quasars, galaxies,
supernovae, or our solar system with currently unknown spatial
resolution and light collecting capacities.
Although I grinded and polished an 8 inch mirror on my own, I am
neither an optician nor a professional astronomer. Nevertheless I wrote
this letter because I missed Model 1 or Model 2 in the TOPS report.
I think every new technology seems being crazy for people working with
current technology. I think traditional grinding and polishing methods
have been pushed to their limits, now it is time for a new approach.
Liquid mirrors might start at the point where traditional mirrors have
stopped.
We could start at a relative "SMALL" scale, let's say 5 to 10 meters
mirror diameter.
Astro list, what do you think ?
[email protected]
SPEA Software AG, Moosstr. 18b, 82317 Starnberg, Bavaria, Germany
Call me: +49-8151-266-232 Fax to me: +49-8151-266-186
(-: 3D Computer Graphics and Astronomy : Fascinating :-)
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 11:19:44 EDT
% Reply-To: Astronomy Discussion List <ASTRO%[email protected]>
% Sender: Astronomy Discussion List <ASTRO%[email protected]>
% From: Alfred Dufter <[email protected]>
% Subject: Idea for huge Earth orbiting telescope
% X-To: astro%[email protected]
% To: Multiple recipients of list ASTRO <ASTRO%[email protected]>
|
| 760.64 | Project Phoenix SETI Institute WWW | MTWAIN::KLAES | Houston, Tranquility Base here... | Mon Aug 01 1994 18:11 | 48 |
| From: US4RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon"
1-AUG-1994 15:40:45.04
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: SETI NEWS
Received: by isaac.msfc.nasa.gov (NX5.67c/NeXT-2.0)
id AA03146; Fri, 29 Jul 94 13:23:05 -0600
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 94 13:23:05 -0600
From: Operator <[email protected]>
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: SETI News
Status: RO
Here's a forwarded message from Peter Backus of Project Phoenix:
Date: 16 Jul 1994 14:58:47 U
From: "Peter Backus" <[email protected]>
Subject: SETI News
To: "Michael Flora" <[email protected]>
Subject: OFFICE MEMO Time: 2:48 PM
SETI News#000#
Date: 07-16-94
Mike,
I thought you might like to know that we've established a home page
for the SETI Institute on the World Wide Web. The URL is:
http://www.metrolink.com/seti/SETI.html
Parts of it are still under construction, but it gives some basic info
about the Institute and Project Phoenix.
Regards,
Peter#000#
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Mon, 01 Aug 94 19:32:27 +0100
% From: [email protected]
% To: [email protected]
% Subject: SETI NEWS
% X-List: [email protected]
% Reply-To: [email protected]
% Sender: [email protected]
|
| 760.65 | Program updates and National Geographic special | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Thu Sep 01 1994 17:30 | 405 |
| Article: 69242
From: [email protected] (T. Joseph W. Lazio)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Question about SETI
Date: 25 Aug 94 13:23:29
Organization: Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
Sender: [email protected] (Verified)
>>>>> "MG" == Mark Gellis <[email protected]> writes:
MG> A few years back I heard that there was some kind of new SETI
MG> search started (I think Steven Spielberg was involved, provided
MG> some of the funding or something like that). I was wondering what
MG> the progress was on this or other SETI searches (I imagine we
MG> would have heard about it if someone had discovered an intelligent
MG> signal, but how far along are we...1% of the survey, 10%, 90%?)
You are referring to the Megachannel ExtraTerrestrial Assay (META)
run by the Planetary Society. That project has completed 5 years
of searching the sky (with a million channel spectrometer).
Currently, there is a META II running in Argentina, I believe
META is still running, and they are in the process of starting
a BETA (Billion channel) search.
The results of the first 5 yrs. were described by Horowitz & Sagan
in the 20 September 1993 issue of the Astrophysical Journal.
Briefly, they found 11 extra-statistical "signals." By
extra-statistical, I mean that there is noise in the detector
they are using. The statistics of that noise are known, however,
and over the course of the survey there's less than one chance in
1.0E14 (i.e. 1 followed by 14 zeros) that those "signals" were
caused by noise in the detector.
However, none of those "signals" have ever been reobserved and
I believe the prevailing wisdom is that they are detector failures,
though Sagan does point out that all of them lie near the Galactic
plane, just where one would expect to find real ET signals.
MG> How do serious astronomers feel about this kind of SETI search?
Hmm, am I allowed to classify myself as a serious astronomer?
If so, then I think SETI searches are a good thing. Even if we
never discover ETs, there may be other, natural phenomena out there
we would discover.
--
| e-mail: [email protected]
T. Joseph W. Lazio | phone: (607) 255-6420
| ICBM: 42 deg. 20' 08" N 76 deg. 28' 48" W
Cornell knows I exist?!? | STOP RAPE
Article: 69513
From: [email protected] (Tim Thompson)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Using SETI for radio astronomy
Date: 28 Aug 1994 23:25:09 GMT
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
In article [email protected], [email protected] (Robert Blazek) writes:
>I've read in this newsgroup about the various SETI programs.
>My question is, other than the commendable search for
>intelligent signals, can such radio surveys be integrated with
>other sky surveys at optical, IR, UV, X-ray, and gamma ranges?
>Can this data help expand current astronomical knowledge or
>is the radio wavelengths examined too narrow to gain much
>new information? Thanks in advance.
Absolutely! This was one of the major justifications for the
original NASA SETI project that was cancelled last fall. The sky
survey portion of the project would have produced literally thousands
of sky maps at very high resolution everywhere from 1 to 10 GHz. In
fact, the offical name change from SETI to HRMS (High Resolution
Microwave Survey) was done to emphasize this science aspect, and duck
the "little green men" syndrome that congress people seem to be so
afflicted with. Alas, it did not work.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Thompson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Earth & Space Sciences Division, Terrestrial Science Element ...
[ WWW Home page http://kea.jpl.nasa.gov/div32/div32.html ]
ASTER Project Atmospheric Corrections Science Team.
Board of Directors, Los Angeles Astronomical Society.
Vice President, Mount Wilson Observatory Association ...
[ WWW Home Page http://www.mtwilson.edu/mwoa.html ]
INTERnet/BITnet: [email protected]
NSI/DECnet: jplsc8::tim
SCREAMnet: YO!! TIM!!
GPSnet: 118:10:22.85 W by 34:11:58.27 N
Article: 69482
From: [email protected] (Rob Tanner)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Question about SETI
Date: 28 Aug 1994 16:40:15 GMT
Organization: NASA Ames Res. Ctr. Mtn Vw CA 94035
In article <[email protected]> [email protected]
(Mark Gellis) writes:
>A few years back I heard that there was some kind of new
>SETI search started (I think Steven Spielberg was involved,
>provided some of the funding or something like that). I
>was wondering what the progress was on this or other SETI
>searches (I imagine we would have heard about it if someone
>had discovered an intelligent signal, but how far along
>are we...1% of the survey, 10%, 90%?)
Since someonelse has already commented on the first part of your
question, let me take up the second.
In 1992, NASA began an extensive 10 year sky survey, originally called
SETI and then changed to HRMS (High Resolution Microwave Survey) for
purely political reasons. In October of last year, more influenced by
articles in the National Enquirer than in the testimony of legitimate
astronomers, Congress cut the funding.
But SETI did not die on the vine. The SETI Institute (wherein are
housed SETI pioneers like Frank Drake who did the very first SETI
search back in 1959 at the same time that Drs Morrison and Cocconi
were proposing the same idea) took up the call, and with private
funding, the search goes on.
The current project, Project Phoenix, is still under development, but
nearly completed. Next January the search begins with SETI having
exclusive access the two mavor telescopes In Australia (Parkes and
Mopra) in order to carefully examine 200 selected stars visible only
in the southern hemisphere. The reason for two telescopes is to
overcome the flaw of every other search that has been done -- the
inability to confirm a signal. Also, by using multi-channel spectrum
analyzers that have been specifically designed for the one purpose of
doing this kind of search (it processes a 20MHz wide band every
second), the search will be more thorough then probably all the
searches that have gone on before combined.
For more Information, the SETI Institute has a Mosaic home page. The
URL is "http://www.metrolink.com/seti/homepage.html". There is
information there about the Institute, the lead scientists, and about
Phoenix. Also, National Geographic filmed a whole program about SETI,
and spend time filming both at the Institute offices and at NASA where
development continues through the end of October. At the time of the
filming, the program was scheduled to air on TNT in early October (the
first or second Sunday evening in October).
-- Rob
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
/\_\_\_\_\ /\_\ /\_\_\_\_\_\
/\/_/_/_/_/ /\/_/ \/_/_/_/_/_/ Robert J. Tanner
/\/_/__\/_/ __ /\/_/ /\/_/ Ames Research Center
/\/_/_/_/_/ /\_\ /\/_/ /\/_/ (415) 604-3451 (SETI)
/\/_/ \/_/ /\/_/_/\/_/ /\/_/ (415) 604-5347 (Kuiper)
\/_/ \/_/ \/_/_/_/_/ \/_/ [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________
Article: 69619
From: Robert Huggins <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Amateur radio astronomy
Date: 30 Aug 1994 02:19:27 GMT
Organization: CompuServe
DavidT asked about how to combine his hobbies of ham radio and
astronomy. I would reply to him via email but I lost his message.
He (and any other interested parties) would get a good start in
this area by contacting the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers!
The address is:
S.A.R.A.
3623 West 139th St.
Cleveland, OH 44111
or call their BBS at:
608-835-9605 (up to 14.4)
Article: 69699
From: [email protected] (Herbert R Johnson)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Using SETI for radio astronomy
Date: 30 Aug 1994 13:53:26 -0400
Organization: NJ Computer Connection for Astro Imaging Systems
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Robert Blazek) wrote:
*>I've read in this newsgroup about the various SETI programs.
*>My question is, other than the commendable search for
*>intelligent signals, can such radio surveys be integrated with
*>other sky surveys at optical, IR, UV, X-ray, and gamma ranges?
*>Can this data help expand current astronomical knowledge or
*>is the radio wavelengths examined too narrow to gain much
*>new information? Thanks in advance.
My recent experience with the Ohio State University (NAAPO) radio telescope
suggests that its narrow-band survey of the 18-21 cm radio range can also
detect maser OH and H sources. Concurrent surveys at X-ray and shorter RF
wavelengths could provide information about active hydrogen and OH clouds,
or even novae or other high-energy activity. There is also some one-shot
RF events that might correlate with X-ray or gamma-ray burst activities.
Unfortunately, the Observatory is so un-funded that they can't afford to
accumulate all the data they collect, so these studies go undone.
Herbert R Johnson voice 609-771-1503 @ AIS
[email protected] Princeton, NJ USA
sometimes known as "Dr." S-100 (if you don't know S-100 don't ask)
....and senior engineer at Astro Imaging Systems: photons for hire!
Article: 69777
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Andrew Mclean)
Subject: Re: SETI in Reverse
Sender: [email protected] (C-News owner c/o Richi)
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 1994 11:27:53 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard PWD-CCSY, UK
On 30 Aug 1994 21:55:06 -0500, [email protected] wrote:
>What is the farthest distance from which our civilization could be
>detected?
>Of course, it would depend on the state of technology of those who were
>looking for us, but assuming they were using the same basic technologies
>as we do, would it be possible for them to "hear" our electromagnetic
>noise in the "glare" of the sun? Are there other means by which they
>might detect us?
>Is there anything we could do to dramtically increase our detectability?
>Would it be a good idea if we could?
>Just curious....
>--
> -- Paul A. Jargowsky (jargo @ utdallas.edu)
I heard an answer to this question, some years back, which I will
pass on...
The EM emissions from the Earth which would be easiest to detect at
large distances would be the powerful pulsed radars used at airports
for ATC. These are generally locked to the mains frequency. The likely
conclusion to be drawn would be: "They have invented radar, so they
are intelligent, but they have not yet managed to standardise their
mains supply frequency between different hemispheres of their planet
(50 Hz one side, 60Hz the other) so they are not VERY intelligent..."
Caveat: This light-hearted remark was made some time ago, and might
have been overtaken by the march of technology. Lat time I looked,
however, we still hadn't fixed the frequency problem...
AM
Article: 69786
From: [email protected] (T. Joseph W. Lazio)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: SETI in Reverse
Date: 31 Aug 94 08:35:28
Organization: Department of Astronomy, Cornell University
Sender: [email protected] (Verified)
>>>>> "PAJ" == jargo <[email protected]> writes:
PAJ> What is the farthest distance from which our civilization could
PAJ> be detected?
Since our civilization has been transmitting radio waves for
only about 100 yrs. the farthest distance is 100 lt-yrs. The
really high-powered radars weren't developed until WW II or later,
so, realistically, the farthest distance is no more than 50 lt-yrs.
PAJ> Of course, it would depend on the state of technology of those
PAJ> who were looking for us, but assuming they were using the same
PAJ> basic technologies as we do, would it be possible for them to
PAJ> "hear" our electromagnetic noise in the "glare" of the sun? Are
PAJ> there other means by which they might detect us?
The Sun (and most main-sequence stars) are not that radio-loud.
At the right frequencies, the Earth could easily compare to the
Sun. Indeed, Jupiter is radio-loud enough that I've seen suggestions
of looking for other solar systems by searching for Jupiter-like
radio emissions (major problem is that Jupiter's emissions tend
to be at very low frequencies).
If you ask, using our most powerful transmitters, how far could
the Earth be detected, allowing for light-travel time delays, I
believe the answer is that we could be detected on the other side
of the Galaxy, if the ETs have access to an Arecibo-sized telescope.
PAJ> Is there anything we could do to dramtically increase our
PAJ> detectability? Would it be a good idea if we could?
Yes. One idea would be to find a nearby supernova (SN1987A
springs to mind; other, more recent and closer supernovae
would be nice, too :). Broadcast in the direction 180 degrees
from it. Make the signal look similar to a pulsar, but different
enough that it could clearly not be of natural origin. Rationale:
Other advanced civilizations, when the light from the SN reaches
them, will presumably be looking for signs of a pulsar, so our
broadcasts will have a captive audience, so to speak. Credit:
I first heard about the idea from Guillermo Lemarchand.
Would it be a good idea if we could? That's a whole 'nuther
can of worms...
--
| e-mail: [email protected]
T. Joseph W. Lazio | phone: (607) 255-6420
| ICBM: 42 deg. 20' 08" N 76 deg. 28' 48" W
Cornell knows I exist?!? | STOP RAPE
Article: 69789
From: [email protected] (Bob Dixon)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: SETI in Reverse
Date: 31 Aug 1994 16:50:33 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University
Sender: rdixon@stargate (Bob Dixon)
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] writes:
|> What is the farthest distance from which our civilization could be
|> detected?
|>
|> Of course, it would depend on the state of technology of those who were
|> looking for us, but assuming they were using the same basic technologies
|> as we do, would it be possible for them to "hear" our electromagnetic
|> noise in the "glare" of the sun? Are there other means by which they
|> might detect us?
The Sun is strong only in the optical region. It is trivial to
outshine the sun with a radio transmitter. Even in the optical region,
if you use a narrowband transmitter (laser) and narrowband receiving
filter, you can overcome the sun. Someone once calculated that if we
took a big transmitter and put it on Arecibo, it could communicate
with a twin of itself anywhere in our galaxy. Of course the problem is
knowing where to look and at what frequency, etc.
|> Is there anything we could do to dramtically increase our detectability?
|> Would it be a good idea if we could?
Some day maybe we will start operating a beacon transmitter.
That would provide a constant signal for searchers.
Bob Dixon
Ohio State Univ SETI Program
Article: 69821
From: [email protected] (Walter Shepherd)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: SETI in Reverse
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 1994 12:53:22 -0800
Organization: The Aerospace Corp
I don't see any connection between intelligence and choice of mains
frequency... but I do see a connection between social homogeneity and
choice of mains frequency. A distant observer might be able to draw
some inferences about the technological state of a society as well as
the functional purpose of the radars by observing radar waveform
characteristics... the functional purposes might lead to some
inferences about the state of the social structure (i.e., civil vs.
military applications; air vs. space radar, etc.)... and the
difference in mains might suggest social and/or genetic variety, which
in turn suggests a certain state of competitiveness, which in turn
suggests that this source of emissions bears close watching.
--
Walter E. Shepherd, K2ZPA _ /| Ack! Thppppfffftt!!
33deg.55'08.90"N \'o.O' No opinions
118deg.22'39.56"W =(___)= worth disavowing
37.55 meters AMSL U here.
Article: 69925
Newsgroups: sci.astro
From: [email protected] (Curtis Rendon)
Subject: Re: SETI in Reverse
Organization: Houston UNIX Users Group (HOUNIX), Houston, TX
Date: Thu, 01 Sep 1994 07:06:16 GMT
According to an old astronomy prof of mine at Rice, the methane
signature of the cattle (and now other greenhouse gases) on what
appeared to be a nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere wold be a giveaway. Of
course, how far out can you detect that? HST can apparantly make out a
couple of AU clearings of particles at distances of about Vega, I would
guestimate our technologies would be able to make spectrographs from
the Oort clouds that could guess at the methane levels that don't
belong in the Earth's atmosphere.
--
Curtis W. Rendon [email protected]
The opinions expressed here are my own unless proven otherwise.
|
| 760.66 | SETIQuest Magazine | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Wed Sep 07 1994 19:25 | 57 |
| SETIQuest is a new quarterly print/electronic mail (E-mail)
periodical containing news, technical information, and tutorials
devoted to bioastronomy and its subset, SETI (Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence).
SETIQuest is published for professionals, serious amateur
astronomers, and individuals curious about this fascinating field of
observation. SETIQuest fills the need for a specialized astronomical
publication devoted exclusively to the on-going search for evidence
of life in the Universe. Such evidence could be intentional or
inadvertent signals of other civilizations. Such evidence could be
found in spectral signatures of biological activity on extrasolar
planets or in the interstellar medium.
SETIQuest is written and edited for the scientifically literate
individual taking part in the progress of our technological
civilization, with articles by amateur and professional scientists.
SETIQuest includes information about hands-on observational programs
that can be carried out by individuals and groups of amateur
astronomers at radio and optical wavelengths.
SETIQuest is filled with articles covering topics such as:
* Tutorials about bioastronomy and SETI
* Microwave or optical SETI as practiced by amateurs
* "Do-it-yourself" participation in bioastronomy and SETI activities
* Book reviews
* Regular commentary on issues relevant to SETI and bioastronomy:
SETI and the political milieu
Philosophical issues regarding the prospects of success and
failure in the search
SETI as a parable of science versus pseudo science
Publications Watch: Summaries of recent scientific/general
publications relevant to SETI
For your FREE issue of SETIQuest (Volume 1, Number 1), send us
your postal address by fax, E-mail, or conventional mail to:
SETIQuest Inquiries, Department EX
Helmers Publishing
174 Concord Street
Peterborough, NH 03458-0874
Telephone: (603) 924-9631 FAX (603) 924-7408
Internet E-mail: [email protected]
--------------------------------=|=---------------------------------------
Carl Helmers, President & Editorial Director, Helmers Publishing, Inc.
--< Publishers of Sensors, ID Systems and SETIQuest magazines >--
(what else do you do after starting BYTE?)
INTERNET: [email protected]
SNAILMAIL: 174 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
PHONE: 603-924-9631 -=- FAX: 603-924-7408
|
| 760.67 | October issue of Scientific American | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Fri Sep 09 1994 15:10 | 18 |
| The October 1994 issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN will be a single
topic issue on life in the Universe. The following articles will be
included:
Life in the Universe, Steven Weinberg
Origins of the Earth, Robert P. Kirshner
The Evolution of Life on Earth, Stephen Jay Gould
The Emergence of Intelligence, William H. Calvin
Sustaining Life on Earth, Robert W. Kates
Will Robots Inherit the Earth?, Marvin Minsky
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life, Carl Sagan
|
| 760.68 | RE 760.67 | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Tue Sep 20 1994 19:29 | 5 |
| There will be a broadcast version of the October issue on PBS-TV
Wednesday, October 5. Check your local listings for details.
Larry
|
| 760.69 | SETI and First Contact | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Tue Sep 20 1994 19:30 | 390 |
| From: US1RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 16-SEP-1994
To: "Extraterrestrials" <[email protected]>,
"Peter Moore" <[email protected]>
CC:
Subj: SETI "INSIDER" VIEW OF FIRST CONTACT?
A SETI "INSIDER" VIEW OF THE FIRST CONTACT
Here I include some "paragraphs" from a very first draft of a paper
already published at SPACE POLICY, vol.10, (2), 134-142, 1994; by
Guillermo A. Lemarchand and Donald E. Tarter (Active Search Strategies
and the SETI protocols: Is there a conflict?). The section "Pronoid vs.
Paranoid Attitudes"was finally "excluded" from the final version. I
think that the members of this list will find interesting some references
and ideas discussed. Ialso include the section "Messages in a bottle" to
show somesociological and political reactions to some attempts to make
"contact".
=============================================-
=================================
"MESSAGES IN A BOTTLE:
The first serious attempt made by humanity to communicate with
extra solar aliens took place in 1972, when NASA attached plaques
to the Pioneer X and XI spacecraft that were launched that year to
swing by Jupiter before leaving the solar system [9]. The plaques
were intended to tell any alien civilization that found them about
the nature of our species and our location. This enterprise was
mainly promoted by Frank Drake and Carl Sagan. Unfortunately --
because the lack of time before the launching-- no international
advise was considered. As it was later on recognized by F. Drake
[10] "this message was constructed by a very limited group of
humans --in fact, three humans-- and thus was neither
representative of the human race as a whole nor perhaps as
informative as it could be. There were editorials published in the
British press demanding that any future similar enterprise be
engineered by a large international ecumenical group of scientists
and lay people".
Some years later, another similar, but much more sophisticated
attempt was developed to included several "Sounds and Images of
Earth" on board of Voyager I and II spacecrafts [10]. Affixed to
each Voyager craft is a gold-coated copper phonograph record as a
message to possible extraterrestrial civilizations that might
encounter the spacecraft in some distant space and time. Each
record contains 118 photographs and 90 minutes of a selection of
"Sounds from Earth". Even though the selection of material that
were included, represented a wide scope of cultures, sounds and
images from our planet, the group that took the responsibility to
"speak in name of the Earth" only belongs to the country that
launched the spacecrafts.
As part of the ceremonies to dedicate the newly up-graded
Arecibo 305-m radio/radar telescope, at 17.00 GMT on November 16,
1974, the telescope was used to transmit a message for possible
reception by other intelligent creatures [8]. The transmission was
made at a radio frequency of 2380 MHz and bandwidth of 10 Hz. The
effective isotropic radiated power was 3 x 1012 Watts, and it was
transmitted into the direction of the Great Cluster in Hercules,
M13, a group of some 300,000 stars 25,000 light years distant whose
apparent size closely matches the beam width of the transmission.
Details of the information contents can be found elsewhere [8-10].
The Arecibo message provoked some major protests. For example,
US diplomat, Michael A.G. Michaud, considered that the attempt to
send a message to another civilization (an active search) was not
just research, but a political act [11]. He also asked to discuss
the potential benefits of the contact outweigh the possible risks
and to take that decision openly, in the full glare of publicity,
"with the involvement of public authorities", and not let that
decision by scientists alone.
The other protest was made by Sir Martin Ryle, a Nobel
laureate and Astronomer Royal of England. He wrote to several
astronomy leaders, with great anxiety that he felt it was very
hazardous to reveal our existence and location to the galaxy [12].
For all we know, "any creatures out there were malevolent or
hungry" and once they knew of us, "they might came to attack or eat
us". He strongly recommended that no messages of this sort should
be sent again and even asked the Executive Committee of the
International Astronomical Union to approve a resolution condemning
such messages. Frank Drake [13] wrote him a letter telling him
that: "It's too late to worry about giving ourselves away. The deed
is done. And repeated daily with every television transmission,
every military radar signal, every spacecraft command.... They're
too far away to pose a threat. I think that hostile tribes bent on
war, be they terrestrial or extraterrestrial, destroy themselves
with their own weapons long before they have any notion of how to
attempt interstellar travel. The more peaceful nations, who study
science and have perhaps cracked the secret of immortality, are
more likely to be benevolent, shy, and wary of contact for their
own reasons."
According to Drake, Ryle seemed satisfied with his rejoinder
and the IAU never did issue a prohibition against interstellar messages.
PARANOID VS. PRONOID ATTITUDES:
In an interesting paper, Ben Finney [14], has analyzed possible
scenarios concerning the impact of radio contact with
extraterrestrial civilizations. Finney describes possible human
responses to the discovery of ETI as being paranoid or pronoid. It
describes an individual who has excessive fear and distrust of
others. Much of our past science fiction literature exhibits the
paranoid theme when it describes alien interest in humans as being
primarely malevonent.
The term pronoid, is a recently coined antonym for paranoid.
This term is used to describe individuals who are excessively
trusting of others and who assume that everyone around them has
their welfare at heart. When this psychological "mind set" is
extended to possible alien contact, the assumption would be that
interaction with these benevolent creatures would be extremely
beneficial to humanity. This dichotomy of mind sets forms a ueful
conceptual tool for the discussion of the feasibility of active
research patterns.
As Karl S. Guthke has pointed out [15], it was Kurd Lasswitz
and H. G. Wells, who introduced the idea of the invasion of the
Earth into world literature and into "mankind fears". Their novels
Auf zwei Planeten (1897) and The War of the Worlds (1898), are the
most significant in terms of ideas, the most powerful, and the best
known. Arthur C. Clarke [16] believes that one cannot blame Wells
for all the excessive emphasis on the interplanetary warfare in
the literature, but, perhaps he merits some criticism for
propagating the creed that anything alien is likely to be horrible.
Recent examples of the paranoid mind set can be found in the
Brookings Institution [17] research report for NASA in the early
sixties. were they considered that "the discovery of life on other
worlds could cause the Earth's civilization collapse". The same
ideas were also expressed by distinguished scientists as M. Ryle
[12] and G. Wald [18], and in some editorials of the New York Times [19].
Medical anthropologist, Melvin Konner [20], stated that
"Evolution predicts the existence of selfishness, arrogance and
violence on other planets even more surely than it predicts
intelligence. If we could get to Earth, extraterrestrials would do
to us what we have done to 'lesser' animals for centuries". He
consideredit to be both philosophically and scientifically naive to
believe the fantasy that advanced extraterrestrials might helps us
in our own progress. On the contrary, the likely result of contact
could be the most grotesque disaster that has ever befallen our
species. Konner thinks that instead of spending a hundred million
dollars in the the NASA SETI project, we should hide, at least for
a few centuries, until we can protect ourselves from creatures that
are likely to treat us as well as we have treated "rhesus monkeys,
cows, dogs and dodos".
The New York Times, over several years of editoralizing about
possible alien contact, has presented an intermediate position
between the paranoid and the pronoid response. Although they
certainly note that contact with high-tech aliens could be
unpleasant, mean, or even cannibalistic, they acknowledge that our
hiding place is already lost and there is no sense being cowardly.
For the Times editorial writers, the search represents an
irresistible human dream that may hold promise as well as peril.
Finney's concept of the pronoid school of thought is reflected
in the writings of Newman & Sagan [21] who suggested that there may
be universal impediments against cosmic imperialism, and perhaps a
Codex Galactica might exist to educate the younger societies on how
to behave. Sagan & Newman [22] further argued that advanced
civilizations with long histories must have learned how to be
benign and how to treat an adolescent society "delicately".
To answer to the "cannibalistic arguments" of the paranoid
fraction, Sagan [23] suggested that it was implicit in the
evolutionary process that extraterrestrial carnivores are unlikely
to find the sequences of amino acids in human proteins especially
tasty. Considering the highly energy cost of interstellar travel
(independently of the degree of technology) it would be much
cheaper to synthesize proteins in the amino acids sequences favored
by "extraterrestrial gastronomers than to muster a luncheon
expedition to Earth".
Clarke [16] thinks that "as our own species is in the process
of proving, one cannot have superior science and inferior morals.
The combination is unstable and self-destroying". If Clarke is
right, and if other civilizations recognize this fact, we might
expect that very limited amounts of information are available for
emerging societies to consume (probably only the information of
their own existence). More advanced civilizations would not want to
place state-of-the-art knowledge at the general disposal of any
unknown underdeveloped --from an ethical point of view-- society.
Such knowledge could be a threat to their very existence. A
civilization needs time to work out adequate moral restraints on
their own behavior. If there is something resembling Sagan's
concept of the Encyclopedia Galactica, it would probably be
encrypted in such a way as to allow their detection only to the
ethically more advanced civilizations, those that already knows how
to be responsible to the power of knowledge and high-technology.
Communication in general is a two-way process and interstellar
communication should be no exception. If everyone is trying to
detect signals from other beings without sending out his own, no
one will receive a signal. Some scientists [24] argue that we have
the technical competence to listen, but not to send (referring to
omnidirectional beacons). Following this argument we are like
little children, "and it is for the child to listen, but not to
speak". Every galactic civilization could find arguments to show
that there are "more advanced civilizations" like them and that
could be dangerous to "reveal" their position and existence to
other beings. It could be impossible to find a threshold where a
galactic civilization could feel themselves completely safe. In
this way, every civilization could apply the "little children
argument" and only use the "passive search strategy instead of the
"active search strategy".
If we consider, the existence of a hostile galactic
civilization with the capacity of interstellar travel, we can
assume that they have also developed a more sophisticated and more
sensitive equipment for electromagnetic analysis, so our presence
will be revealed to other civilizations located, perhaps, at
thousands of light years from the Earth. If this hypothesis is
correct, our generation will be responsible for the possible
consequences of contact with hostile ETI civilizations that will
occur in future generations.
APPENDIX 1: Proposed Protocol for the Sending of Communications to
Extraterrestrial Intelligence :
The signatories agree that communications with extraterrestrial
intelligence will be guided by the following principles:
1. Communications with extraterrestrial intelligence will be
undertaken on behalf of all mankind, rather than specific nations,
groups, or individuals.
2. Nations, organizations, and individuals will not unilaterally
sendcommunications to extraterrestrial intelligence until appropriate
internationalconsultations have taken place.
3. The signatories will not cooperate with attempts to communicate
withextraterrestrial intelligence which do not conform the principles in
this protocol.
4. An international group including representation from all
interested nations will be formed to deal with the question of whether
such a communication should be sent and, if so, what its content should be.
5. If a decision is made to develop a communication to
extraterrestrial intelligence on behalf of all mankind, the following
principles will be observed:
a. Respect for the value of life and intelligence.
b. Respect for the value of diversity, including respect for
different customs, habits, languages, creeds and religions,
approaches to social organization, and styles of life.
c. Respect for the territory and property of others.
d. Recognition of the will to live.
e. Recognition of the need of living space.
f. Fair play, justice, mercy.
g. Reciprocity and quid pro quo.
h. Nonviolation of others.
i. Truthfulness and non-deception.
j. Peaceful and friendly welcome.
k. Cooperation.
l. Respect for knowledge, curiosity and learning.
6. The drafters of a communication to extraterrestrial intelligence
will consider detailed information about mankind to be commodity of high
value which will not be transmitted without due attention to human
security and well-being, and to reciprocity.
7. In the event that extraterrestrials appear to pose a threat to
human health, well-being, or peace, no nation shall act without
consulting the Security Council of the United Nations.
REFERENCES:
8. The Staff at NAIC, The Arecibo Message of November 1974; Icarus,
26, 462-466, (1975).
9. C. Sagan, L. Salzman Sagan and F.Drake, A Message from Earth,
Science, 175, 881-884, (1972).
10. C. Sagan et al., Murmurs of Earth, (Ballantine Books, New York, 1978).
11. M.A.G. Michaud, Signal to Messier 13, Spaceflight, vol.17, p.119, 1975.
12. W. Sullivan, Astronomer Fears Hostile Attack, Would Keep Life
on Earth a Secret, New York Times, p.46, November 4, 1976.
13. F. Drake and D. Sobel, Is Anyone Out There?, The Scientific Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Delacorte Press, New York, 1992.
14. B. Finney, The Impact of Contact, Acta Astronautica, vol.21,
No.2, pp. 117-122, (1990).
15. K.S. Guthke, The Last Frontier: Imagining Other Worlds, from
the Copernican Revolution to Modern Science Fiction, (Cornell
University Press, Ithaca, 1990).
16. A.C. Clarke, Voices from the Sky, p.215, (New York, 1965).
17. Michael, D.N., Proposed Studies on the Implications of Peaceful
Space Activities for Human Affairs, Brookings Institution Report to
NASA (Washington, DC, December 1960).
18. G. Wald, in Life Beyond the Earth and the Mind of Man, R.
Berendzen (ed.), pp. 15-19, NASA SP-328, (US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 1973).
19. Editorials, New York Times, Signal from Space, Tuesday April
13, 1965; Beware the Cow in E.T.'s Barn, Sunday December 28, 1982;
Bach to Bach, Wednesday, August 16, 1989; What If They're Out
here?, Sunday October 11, 1992;
20. M. Konner, The Search for Extraterrestrials Could Make Monkeys
out of all of Us, Los Angeles Times, sec. B, p.2, April 16, 1990.
21. W.I. Newman and C. Sagan, Galactic Civilizations: Population
Dynamics and Interstellar Diffusion, Icarus, vol.46, pp.293-327, 1981.
22. C. Sagan and W.I. Newman, The Solipsist Approach to
Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Q.Jl.R.astr.Soc., vol.24, pp.113-121, 1983.
23. C.Sagan, If Extraterrestrial do Exist: Not to Worry, New York
Times, letter to the editor, January 30, 1983, reprinted in The
Planetary Report, vol.3, No.2, March/April 1983.
24. S. L. Glashow, Are we Alone in the Universe? in The Charm of
Physics, (Simon & Schuster, New York, 1991).
25. W.T. Sullivan III, S. Brown and C.Wetherill, Eavesdropping: The
Radio Signature of the Earth, Science, vol.199, pp.377-388, (1978);
W. T. Sullivan III, Science, vol.202, pp.376, (1978) and W.T.
Sullivan III and S.H. Knowles in The Search for Extraterrestrial
Life: Recent Developments, M.D. Papagiannis, Ed., pp.327-334,
(D.Reidel Publishing Co., Boston, 1985).
26. P.B. Boyce, Planetary Radars Have Announced Our Presence:
Thoughts on Short Duration Signals, Verification and Responses,
42nd Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, IAA-
91-611, October 5-11, Montreal, Canada.
27. J. Billingham and J. Tarter, Detection of the Earth with the
SETI Microwave Observing System Assumed to be Operating out in the
Galaxy, Acta Astronautica, vol.26, No.3/4, pp.185-188, 1992.
28. D. Goldsmith, Who will Speak for Earth?, Possible Structures
for Shaping a Response to a Signal Detected from an Extraterrestrial
Civilization, Acta Astronautica, vol.21, No.2, pp.149-151, 1990.
29. M.A.G. Michaud, J. Billingham, and J. Tarter, A Reply from
Earth?, Acta Astronautica, vol.26, No.3/4, pp.295-297, 1992.
30. E. Fasan, Relations with Alien Intelligences: The Scientific
Bases of Metalaw, (Berlin Verlag, Berlin, 1970).
31. A.A. Cocca, XII Tables for Researchers on Extraterrestrial
Intelligence, Acta Astonautica, vol.21, No.2, pp.127-130, 1990.
32. D.R. Bates, Difficulty of Interstellar radio Communication,
Nature, vol.248, pp.317-318, 1974 and On Making Radio Contact with
Extraterrestrial Civilizations, Astrophysics and Space Science,
vol.55, pp.7-13, 1978."
====================================
---
==================================================================
| |
| Guillermo A. Lemarchand |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| |
| POSTAL ADDRESS: C.C.8 -Suc.25, |
| 1425-Buenos Aires, |
| ARGENTINA |
| |
| E-MAIL: [email protected] |
| |
| PHONE: 54-1-774-0667 FAX: 54-1-786-8114 |
| |
==================================================================
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Fri, 16 Sep 1994 21:27:04 ARG
% From: "Guillermo A. Lemarchand " <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: "Extraterrestrials" <[email protected]>, "Peter
Moore" <[email protected]
% Subject: SETI "INSIDER" VIEW OF FIRST CONTACT?
% X-List: [email protected]
% Reply-To: [email protected]
% Sender: [email protected]
|
| 760.70 | No signals or artifacts yet | MTWAIN::KLAES | No Guts, No Galaxy | Thu Sep 22 1994 16:35 | 104 |
| From: US3RMC::"[email protected]" "MAIL-11 Daemon" 22-SEP-1994
To: [email protected]
CC:
Subj: Re: Citation Help
Dear James
>Has anyone on this list read the following? Arkhipov, A.V., _Probable
>locations of Extraterrestrial Civilizations_, 1986, NTIS No. DE88702605/HDM.
>It is in Russian and fairly short, as I recall from the reference.
>According to the long bibliographic citation on the NTIS CD-ROM, he has
>identified four sol-type stars where there is evidence for SETI.
Yes, I got all the references and we have been observing two of them
(that are in the southern sky) from the Argentine Intitute for
Radioastromy since 1987, and since 1990 with an spectrum analyzer of
8.4 million channels with 0.05 Hz resolution per bin. We use the 1420
MHz hydrogen line and 1667 MHz oxhydril line at three different rest
frames: heliocentric (LSR), galactic barycenter and cosmic background.
NO signals were detected from those directions in the sky.
The idea of Alexei Arkhipov was that he found that 4 nearby star were
very close to some radio continuum sources, so he suppose that there was
a possibility that "the radio continuum noise" could be generated by
"domestic extraterrestrial radio emission". Unfortunately there are lots
of stars that are generating a lot of radio emission caused by "natural"
sources (there is a new chapter in astronomy call: Radio stars, that
have been developed since we began using Very Large Array Radio telescopes).
You can fin an English reference with the positions of those stars in
the following International Astronomical Union Proceeding:
"Bioastronomy:The Next Steps", G. Marx (Ed.), Astrophysics and Space
Science Library vol. 144, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1988.
In the same proceeding you can also find a more intersting case of
"radio source" and star spatial correlation described by the french
astronomer Jean Heideman.
>Second, does anyone have the correct reference for a NASA document
>entitled "Cultural Responses to SETI"? I have the title, but that is
>all. Computer searches are not helping.
This is a paper by Dr. Billigham that was circulated among the invited
speakers for the international conference SETI & SOCIETY that will be
held next year in France.
>Third, does anyone know anything about the Search for Extraterrestrial
>Artifacts (SETA)? There is evidently an extensive bibliography, but
>computer searches (again) are not helping.
There is a lot of bibliography about searches already done. NOTHING was
found here I include the most important references:
-R. Freitas and F. Valdes, "A Search for Natural or Artificial Objects
located at the Earth Moon Libration Points", ICARUS, vol.42, pp.442-447,
1980.
- same authors, "A Search for objects near the Earth Moon Lagrangian
points", ICARUS, vol.53, p.453-457, 1983
- same authors, "The Search for Extraterrestrial Artifacts (SETA), ACTA
ASTRONAUTICA, vol.12, No.12, pp.1027-1034, 1985.
FOR THIS TOPICS AND OTHER "UNCONVENTIONAL" SCIENTIFIC SEARCHES FOR
EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCES, YOU SHOULD TAKE A LOOK TO MY REVIEW
ARTICLE:
"Detectability of Extraterrestrial Technological Activities" by G. A.
Lemarchand, in the new magazine (also an electronic version available)
SETIQuest, vol.1, No.1 (there was a post in this list some days ago).
Best regards,
---
==================================================================
| |
| Guillermo A. Lemarchand |
| Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| |
| POSTAL ADDRESS: C.C.8 -Suc.25, |
| 1425-Buenos Aires, |
| ARGENTINA |
| |
| E-MAIL: [email protected] |
| |
| PHONE: 54-1-774-0667 FAX: 54-1-786-8114 |
| |
==================================================================
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Date: Thu, 22 Sep 1994 11:07:00 ARG
% From: "Guillermo A. Lemarchand " <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: [email protected]
% X-Mailer: CHASQUI [UUPC/extended 1.11q(RAN-1.00b)]
% In-Reply-To: <Pine.3.87.9409211512.A29661-0100000@chuma>; from James
Strange (REL) at Sep 21, 94 08:37 AM
% Subject: Re: Citation Help
% X-List: [email protected]
% Reply-To: [email protected]
% Sender: [email protected]
|