http://science.kqed.org/quest/2008/04/01/producers-notes-seti-the-new-search-for-et/ Explore science, nature and environment stories from Northern California and beyond with KQED’s multimedia series Thu, 24 May 2012 05:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://science.kqed.org/quest/2008/04/01/producers-notes-seti-the-new-search-for-et/#comment-11197 andrea Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:59:52 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/04/01/producers-notes-seti-the-new-search-for-et/#comment-11197 I was part of the Quest crew that joined Joan up north for the SETI shoot. I have to say, if a distant voice from outer space is to be overheard from anywhere it makes sense it would be in Lassen County. The place itself is otherworldly. Volcanic rock and steaming mud pots give it a lunar like feel. And then there is the array which we came upon in a mist covered valley. Dozens of silver, ultra retro satellite dishes point upward. The completed array which is funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, will consist of 350 satellite dishes. We were in Hat Creek for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new array which finally gives these astronomers their own telescopes. At the kick off, Allen flew in by private helicopter to push the silver button and the telescopes moved like syncronized swimmers…. But really, the dishes have been on for awhile manned by a few grad students and SETI astronomers 24 hours a day. And what if they pick up a signal? Well, the whole thing is steeped in protocol. First, the telescope must be turned away if a signal is found. Then the telescope must re-aquire the signal. Next, independent verification is required. Then, all sorts of international consultations have to take place and, well, everyone is still in disagreement over how we respond, who gets to respond and what do we say? One thing is for sure, there is a bottle of champagne in the office refriderator up at Hat Creek waiting to be opened if a signal is ever found. The Quest crew stayed in the nearby town of Burney, not on the map for its cuisine. In fact, it's barely on the map at all. But it does have a bowling alley, a nice place to unwind after searching for “intelligent life” all day. I was part of the Quest crew that joined Joan up north for the SETI shoot. I have to say, if a distant voice from outer space is to be overheard from anywhere it makes sense it would be in Lassen County. The place itself is otherworldly. Volcanic rock and steaming mud pots give it a lunar like feel. And then there is the array which we came upon in a mist covered valley. Dozens of silver, ultra retro satellite dishes point upward. The completed array which is funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, will consist of 350 satellite dishes. We were in Hat Creek for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new array which finally gives these astronomers their own telescopes. At the kick off, Allen flew in by private helicopter to push the silver button and the telescopes moved like syncronized swimmers…. But really, the dishes have been on for awhile manned by a few grad students and SETI astronomers 24 hours a day. And what if they pick up a signal? Well, the whole thing is steeped in protocol. First, the telescope must be turned away if a signal is found. Then the telescope must re-aquire the signal. Next, independent verification is required. Then, all sorts of international consultations have to take place and, well, everyone is still in disagreement over how we respond, who gets to respond and what do we say? One thing is for sure, there is a bottle of champagne in the office refriderator up at Hat Creek waiting to be opened if a signal is ever found. The Quest crew stayed in the nearby town of Burney, not on the map for its cuisine. In fact, it's barely on the map at all. But it does have a bowling alley, a nice place to unwind after searching for “intelligent life” all day.

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