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| Personal background |
Education: B.S. Astronomy - University of Arizona
Four years graduate study in Astrophysics and Planetary Science at the
University of Arizona
Main Fields of Interest: Astrobiology, Cosmology, Planetary Science, Imagery Science.
Occupation: Research Scientist/Engineer
Age: 45
Hobbies: Astronomical observing (C-11, 100-mm Apochromatic Refractor, SLR Digital Camera, Video Camera), particularly the Moon, Sun using H-Alpha telescope (double stacked PST), and bright planets; Photography.
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| Thoughts about SETI and SETI@home |
Why do you run SETI@home?
I run SETI@home, not for the statistical race, but for
the science. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence invests an insignificant amount of finite resources with the possibility to return one of the greatest scientific discoveries in the history of mankind. The discovery of an extraterrestrial civlilization would prove that such civilizations do not have to extinguish themselves, and that it is possible for a technological race to endure their "technological adolesence".
Thoughts about ETI
Our society should put more effort into transmitting messages using high powered radio transmitters, such as the one located at Arecibo. Also, we should definitely start up more Optical SETI projects since many advanced civilizations may transmit messages via optical lasers. A significant amount of power can be packed into ultrashort pulsed lasers, and this may be more practical than using radio since there is less background interference to worry about when searching for laser pulses.
Now that science has allowed us to make the first primative map of the Human Genome I think our civilization should consider transmitting the entire human genetic code into space. Perhaps some very advanced civilization (Type II or Type III) would intercept such a transmission and would be able to analyze its contents. Assuming their biology is based on some sort of amino acid structures they might gain significant knowledge about our species (our biology, chemistry, our very nature). Such a transmission might even assure the survival of our species if an advanced civilization could "recreate" a human using some sort of advanced biogenetic sequencing process, well in advance of anything we have now.
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