The SETI Observer

July 2003

	Voices: Drs. Chyba and Tarter
	The Road Ahead
	Update: Jill Tarter Discusses SETI Today
	SETI Institute Radio Show Archived
	Pre-order Discount on Voyages Through Time
	*Get an Are We Alone?* Bumper Sticker**
	SETI Challenge*


The Milky Way Behind an Eclipsed Moon Credit: Juan Carlos Casado

Dear SETI enthusiasts:

Exobiology, bioastronomy, Drake Equation Science, Life in the Universe research--we've referred to the multidisciplinary work of the SETI Institute by a number of names over the years. All of it, however, falls within the compass of a field known today as "astrobiology." For nearly twenty years, I've had the pleasure of guiding one of the oldest independent research organizations conducting this broad spectrum of scientific investigations into life's possibilities on other worlds. And happily, this world is beginning to take notice.

Early this year, a report from the National Academy of Sciences referred to the SETI Institute as an "important national resource in astrobiology." More recently, in a New York Times article on SETI and astrobiology, science journalist Dennis Overbye referred to the SETI Institute as "a powerhouse of astrobiological research."

The Times article appeared in the wake of an exciting announcement from NASA. Late last month, we found ourselves sharing the spotlight with eleven other research organizations when NASA's announced the winning research proposals to its Astrobiology Institute (NAI). We are now one of the NAI's lead teams, and our NAI co-investigators can focus on their work secure in knowing they have five years of funding for their cutting-edge research.

I could say much more about the NAI and what membership will mean for us; but I'd rather have you read and hear about it from our scientists in the links of this week's SETI Observer.

Enjoy!

Thomas Pierson
CEO, SETI Institute

Voices: Drs. Christopher Chyba and Jill Tarter

Several SETI Institute strengths underpin the NAI projects, which will draw expertise from both the Center for the Study of Life in the Universe(LITU) and the Center for SETI Research. Hear Dr. Christopher Chyba, Carl Sagan Chairholder in the LITU Center and Dr. Jill Tarter, Director of SETI Research offer their perspectives on the grant, while explaining some of the more fascinating NAI projects. Read more

	The Road Ahead
	We all know that even the boldest explorer relies upon maps. What is perhaps less well known is that NASA's bold program of astrobiological exploration is similarly guided by a road map, one that crosses SETI Institute terrain. Dr. Christopher Chyba discusses the road ahead for the SETI Institute's NAI research in a recent SPACE.com feature. Read more

	Update: Jill Tarter Discusses SETI Today
	SETI is a mature and robust science that has taken its rightful place in the continuum of astrobiological research. Dr. Jill Tarter, Director of SETI Research, reflects on the scientific progress and the growth of public understanding that have advanced the search for evidence of intelligence on other worlds.

	SETI Institute Radio Show Archived
	Now you can hear each episode of Are We Alone? for up to two weeks after the original broadcast date by visiting the Are We Alone? page. On the June 29 show, series host Dr. Seth Shostak interviews NAI Co-Investigator Dr. Emma Bakes and also Dr. Jill Tarter, Director of SETI Research.

	Educators! Last Chance for Pre-order Discount on Voyages Through Time
	August 1st is just around the corner, so if you've been considering ordering this innovative, integrated high school science curriculum visit http://www.voyagesthroughtime.org today, for a discount of up to 20 percent.

	*Get an Are We Alone?* Bumper Sticker**
	Tell us more about yourself and you'll receive a free blue and white 3 3/4 by 8 3/4 inch sticker suitable for your bumper, refrigerator or any place you'd like to show your terrestrial intelligence. Send us your complete name and mailing address — and your TeamSETI membership number if you are a member, by clicking here and we'll send you our sticker.

SETI 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. Choose the phrase that best completes this statement and send your answer to newsletter@seti.org.

Which statement about SETI Institute NAI projects is FALSE?

Drs. Rocco Mancinelli, Amos Banin, David Summers, and Bishun Khare work on projects that focus on nitrogen, which is essential for life's formation.
Drs. Janice Bishop and Lynn Rothschild (of NASA Ames) study the role of zinc oxide, which may have served as a "sun shield" protecting life on early Earth from damaging UV rays.
Dr. Cynthia Phillips will use images from the Galileo spacecraft in her studies of geological change on Europa.
SETI astronomer, Dr. Peter Backus is a co-investigator of a project that studies the habitability of M-stars, which are smaller and cooler than our sun.

Email:newsletter@seti.org

*SETI Challenge
All individuals are eligible to win except for the following

1) SETI Institute staff members and immediate family members of SETI Institute staff

2) Individuals who have previously submitted a winning entry within a period of 12 months from the date of the current contest.