| Personal background |
|---|
Former engineer, now retired as I am 75 years old. Prior to my engineering
career I was a high school science teacher here in Wisconsin. As a part of
my physics program we would grind a mirror, silver it and build a 6 inch
telescope. We usually finished the project in January or February, a wonderful
time for observing here as the air is frequently very dry, as well as cold.
There were several interesting things that occured as a part that portion of my
program. I lived in an upstairs appartment and we ground the lens there in
the evening. My landlord, who lived directly under me, could never understand
the source of the growling sound transmited through to his living room as we
would grind the mirror. When we first set up the telescope I would aim it at
Saturn, if the rings were right, or a star cluster, I would then instruct the
students to put their hands behind their back and look into the eye piece, the
result was completely predictable, the student upon seeing the image would
inhale sharply and grasp the tube with both hands. I think television has now
destroyed the wonderful sense of discovery they enjoyed at that time, the 1950s.
By the way, my hot chocolate bill at that time was stretching my limited budget
as we operated the scope in my yard and my wife assumed responsiblity for
refreshments.
I am very pleased to be able to take part in this very interesting project.
My only request is that we find a positive result while I am still around
to appreciate it, note my age above. Thanks people for having the imagionation
to get us organized in such an interesting activity. Not the sort of activity
one would expect to take part in while living here in the north part of the
U.S. You don't realize the pleasure you are giving.
My name is John Mc Dermid. Address 8942 Gray Lake Road, Gillett, Wi. USA
E-mail johnmcde@ez-net.com. |
| Thoughts about SETI and SETI@home |
|---|
I have no doubt that extraterrstrial life exists. Does that life transmit
electromagnatic signals, that is a little more iffy. Will we, we a somewhat
intelligent critter, be doing this technical stuff as another intelligent
creature well I don't know. Will we still be doing this radio stuff in 500
years? This world has been here for billions of years and we have had useful
radio only during my life time, percentage wise it does not seem to hopeful.
On the other hand, I am here, hows that for beating the odds? So we listen
and hope. |
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