The SETI Observer

June 20, 2002

	Expanding the Search: The Allen Telescope Array
	Dr. Nathalie Cabrol Discusses Mars Mission
	Dr. Pascal Lee Guests on Are We Alone
	Above the Arctic Circle
	Shadow Chasers Head South
	SETI Institute Challenge
Artist rendering of a single 6-meter dish from the Allen Telescope Array (scheduled for completion in 2005)
Construction begins at the future site of the Allen Telescope Array

Dear SETI Enthusiasts:

From Concept to Reality
Most of SETI science happens behind the scenes: research, algorithm development, systems planning and design—all followed by testing, retesting and retesting again. Consequently, we often find it challenging to “show” compelling images of our work. Such will not be the case this coming Monday when the truck carrying seven 20-foot Allen Telescope Array primary reflector dishes rolls out the doors of Anderson Manufacturing in Idaho Falls, arriving on Wednesday, June 26th at Hat Creek Observatory near Mount Lassen, California. The arrival of these reflectors, the first of an eventual 350 such dishes, is an important moment for our next generation SETI facility: the privately funded Allen Telescope Array.

This SETI milestone comes on the heels of an important astrobiology announcement; the discovery of a large extrasolar planet circling its star in an orbit that is strikingly similar to that of Jupiter in our solar system. As Jupiter may have played a crucial role in the development of complex life on Earth, this discovery around a distant star bolsters our hopes that Earthlike planets are not so “rare.” It also gives us pause to consider the many recent discoveries in the interdisciplinary examination of life—on Earth and beyond—we investigate in our Center for the Study of Life in the Universe (LITU).

The ever-growing body of knowledge in LITU science gives our SETI work context, inspires our talented staff of educators and generates increasing excitement as we watch the growth of the Allen Telescope Array.

I invite you now to learn more about this project and others in this edition of the SETI Observer.

Sincerely,
Thomas Pierson
CEO, SETI Institute

Expanding the Search: The Allen Telescope Array

It may not look like much, but from small beginnings, big things come. The rather ordinary-looking construction site is actually the future home of an extraordinary scientific instrument, the Allen Telescope Array. When fully operational in 2005, the Allen Telescope Array will have more collecting area than the newly completed Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and better resolution than the venerable Arecibo dish in Puerto Rico that has been so important to the SETI Institute. Dave DeBoer (Project Engineer ) updates us on astronomy's next big thing on SETI Thursday at SPACE.com. http://www.space.com/searchforlife/seti_ata_020620.html

Dr. Nathalie Cabrol Discusses Mars Mission

The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, a scientist in the Institute's Center for the Study of Life in the Universe (LITU) will participate in NASA's 2003 Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission. As a part of the 28-member team, Nathalie will look for traces of water on the red planet, examine its geology and assess potential landings sites. Join us in our congratulations to Nathalie, read more about MER, and hear Nathalie answer our questions about her work. In the next three weeks, we will be posting video clips from a recent conversation with Nathalie here at the Institute.

Dr. Pascal Lee Guests on Are We Alone

Speaking of Mars, this Sunday night at 9 pm EST, tune into Are We Alone for a lively discussion with hosts Dr. Seth Shostak and Bill Oxley, and LITU scientist, Dr. Pascal Lee, who is one of several SETI Institute scientists whose work brings us closer to understanding Earth’s dusty red neighbor.

Above the Arctic Circle

"It's just like Devon Island," said Dr. Frank Drake describing his (then) upcoming trip to Barrow Alaska. "About as close to Mars as it gets on Earth." The SETI Institute Board Chairman got a very warm reception in the United State's northern-most city, despite temperatures that dipped to 15 degrees below zero. Frank said he was "touched by the warmth" of the community of 5,000 people, a majority of which are Inupiat Eskimos. See Frank's snap shots and read the trip report of TeamSETI member, Earl Finkler, Frank's Alaskan host.

Shadow Chasers Head South

A partial eclipse is a tease. Observers may ooh and ahh when the bright crescent sun peeks out from behind a dark round shadow at the peak of a lunar transit (like the 6/10 event pictured), but for true aficionados, the flirtatious dance is merely a warm up for totality. This December, eclipse chasers will head south to Australia, where viewing conditions are certain to be spectacular. SETI fans ready to travel to the southern hemisphere for an optimum view of the shadowy spectacle can join SETI Institute scientists Drs. Frank Drake and Seth Shostak, November 26th - December 10th, on an unforgettable expedition down under.

For more information visit: http://www.melitatrips.com/australia.html

SETI Institute Challenge

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

mystery picture
(No picture? Click here)

Question: What is that, anyway?

Early sundial that also gives phases of the moon
A foundation anchor for one of the Allen Telescope Array dishes
Launch pad for hobby rockets
Three-way snare for ground squirrels

Email:newsletter@seti.org