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The SETI Observer
August 23, 2002
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Dear SETI Enthusiasts:
Earlier this month, the Perseid meteor shower lured many of us from our well-lit cities out into wild and dark places to view shooting stars. There is something about the delicate streaks of light against the black sky that brings home the wonder of space. You may have told your children—as I used to tell mine—to make a wish, while you silently did the same. I wonder how many of us wished we knew what was up there; perhaps other intelligent beings peering upwards with awe, wonder and curiosity. Just like us.
“Up there” is vast and varied, and exploring beyond Earth requires the cooperative effort of many researchers from many disciplines. At the Institute, our SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and LITU (Life in the Universe) scientists comprise an incomparable team of men and women who are leaders in their fields, whether combing the skies for electromagnetic transmissions from distant technology, aiding the development of technology that will take us to Mars, or preventing cross-contamination of our planet and others during upcoming space missions.
We are lucky to live in times when technology makes exploration beyond Earth possible. At the SETI Institute, research on the cutting edge of this technology drives our search for answers to many of the questions we ponder when viewing the majestic night sky.
I invite you now to learn more about our work by following the links in the latest edition of the SETI Observer.
Sincerely,
Thomas Pierson
CEO, SETI Institute
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Back From Mars
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The clear and exciting images of Mars we see in the popular media, reflect scientists’ growing understanding of Earth’s nearest neighbor. We’ve learned there are places on Earth where the topography offers scientists useful analogues to the Red Planet. At the Haughton Impact Crater on Devon Island, scientists test technology and research techniques for Mars exploration while they explore this unique spot on our own planet. Since 1997, SETI Institute scientist Dr. Pascal Lee has led a summer research project at this site and has recently returned from the 2002 field season.
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SETI Institute Scientists Down Under
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Last chance for Shadow Chasers! Spots are filling fast for the great Australian Adventure. Travel down under for eclipse-viewing in Oz with SETI Institute scientists Drs. Frank Drake and Seth Shostak. The Institute has a special affinity for Australia, home of kangaroos, koala bears and the Parkes Telescope where Project Phoenix scrutinized target stars in the southern hemisphere. That was in 1995 and Astronomer Seth Shostak's field reports taught our SETI team how to speak Australian.
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Reader's Corner: SETI 2020 and Life in the Universe
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New (and coming soon) on the virtual bookshelf of our on-line gift shop are two recently published books for the scientifically inclined layperson or student.
SETI 2020 - Five years ago, the SETI Institute convened a team of scientists and technology experts to help plan the future of SETI science. The Allen Telescope Array and the Institute’s optical search are direct results of this series of meetings, and SETI 2020 is the publication Amazon.com calls a “remarkably comprehensive study of how SETI scientists should direct their efforts between now and the year 2020… the definitive publication in this fascinating field.”
Life in the Universe - “This textbook,” writes Dr. Christopher Chyba of the SETI Institute, “combines the explosion in our knowledge of life on Earth with the latest findings about solar system environments, extrasolar planets, and SETI. It is the right text at the right time for teaching some of the fastest-moving topics in science.” The just-released text book is available in college book stores now, and will be in our gift store soon. Keep an eye on our website!
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For Teachers
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In all the realms of the natural world, everything changes over time: the universe, the planet Earth, life, humans, and technology. Evolution offers scientific explanations for the age-old question: "Where did we come from?" and is the overarching theme for the innovative, high school science curriculum, Voyages Through Time.
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SETI Institute Challenge:
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Be one of the first five to answer the following question correctly and get a cool SETI Institute t-shirt. We'll post the answer in next month's e-newsletter. Send your answer to newsletter@seti.org.
Pick the statement that is most true. The Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse is:
Where SETI scientists grow seeds that have been flown in space missions to study the effects of space travel on plants.
Helping scientists study the challenges and benefits of maintaining a greenhouse component of Mars missions.
A science fiction writers’ retreat in Sri Lanka.
Where vegetarian SETI scientists grow produce for their salads.
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Copyright © 2002, SETI Institute
2035 Landings Drive - Mountain View, California 94043
Tel: (650) 961-6633 - Fax: (650) 961-7099
Email:newsletter@seti.org
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