| Personal background |
|---|
Hi, I'm a Physicist working at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, VA, USA. My current job there is Computer Center Director. I have a PhD in Physics from Liverpool University (1985) where I also optained my BSc back in 1981. After leaving the University I spent almost three years at CERN and I've been here in the US of A since 1991. I have a wonderful helen wife who is also a Physicist and two sons, Thomas and James.
I've been interested in astronomy from an early age and it was Star Trek and the thought of voyaging across the universe that pushed me towards Physics. My life moved towards computing long ago and I always wish that I had found a way to work on novel spacecraft propulsion or something that could have brought my Start Trek dreams closer. Maybe via SETI I can use my knowledge of computing to help humanity seek out new life and new civilizations even though I will never boldly go where no man has gone before. |
| Thoughts about SETI and SETI@home |
|---|
As a scientist I do think that extraterrestrial life exists. There is no way that this planet exists in isolation. The events of the last few billion years were surely played out elsewhere. The question is one of location and timing. Is intelligent life nearby? Humanity has only been here for the last million years. We may find worlds in any of the stages which preceded human life on earth. We may find worlds where intelligent life has left it's mark but has long ago moved on.
The whole planet is a beacon of electromagnetic radiation not to mention the neutrino signature from all of the nuclear power plans, and is getting worse each year. As far as a targeted beacon is concerned I am not sure. I have read several novels with a similar theme where human generated radiation attracts unwanted visitors. We are very ignorant of the universe beyond our solar system. It may be that there are space faring species close by. The Earth is surrounded by a bubble of electromagnetic radiation which started out about a century ago with the first radio transmissions. As the volume of that sphere increases so does the probability that, if there is anyone to listen, we will be heard. What then?
As with joining a conversation between a group of humans maybe it is better to listen for a while before joining in.
|
| Your feedback on this profile |
|---|
| Recommend this profile for User of the Day: |
I like this profile |
| Alert administrators to an offensive profile: |
I do not like this profile |
|
| Account data |
View |
| Team |
None |
|
