© 2009 The SETI League, Inc. Background © Lynette Cook All Rights Reserved Project Argus Progress...

© 2009 The SETI League, Inc.© 2009 The SETI League, Inc.Background © Lynette CookBackground © Lynette Cook

All Rights ReservedAll Rights Reserved

Project Argus Project Argus Progress Report: Progress Report:

t plus Thirteen Years t plus Thirteen Years and Holdingand Holding

H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D.H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D.

Executive Director EmeritusExecutive Director Emeritus

The SETI League, Inc.The SETI League, Inc.



NASANASASETI:SETI:

launched launched October October 1992,1992,

canceledcanceledOctober October

19931993



Complementary Search StrategiesComplementary Search Strategies

• Targeted SearchTargeted Search

– High directivityHigh directivity

– 1000 sunlike stars1000 sunlike stars

• All-Sky SurveyAll-Sky Survey

– Broad sky coverageBroad sky coverage

– Drift-scan modeDrift-scan mode



Targeted Targeted Search Search

resurrected resurrected by SETIby SETIInstituteInstitute

as as Project Project PhoenixPhoenix



All-sky All-sky Survey Survey

recast by recast by SETISETI

LeagueLeagueas as Project Project

ArgusArgus



Backyard Radio TelescopesBackyard Radio Telescopes



SystemSystem

BlockBlock

DiagramDiagram



ProjectProjectArgusArgus

Launched Launched April 1996 April 1996 (just five (just five stations)stations)



SETI SETI League League

Technical Technical ManualManual



By 2000, we had By 2000, we had activated 100 activated 100

stationsstations

(but, still (but, still farfar from our goal of from our goal of

5000 stations 5000 stations and real-time, and real-time,

all-sky coverage)all-sky coverage)



Today, only Today, only 144 stations 144 stations (but in 27 (but in 27

countries on countries on all seven all seven

continentscontinents!)!)



Why the stagnation?Why the stagnation?• Global economic downturnGlobal economic downturn

• Lack of turn-key systemsLack of turn-key systems

• Negative economies of scaleNegative economies of scale

• No new ‘Contact’ filmsNo new ‘Contact’ films

• Computers are easierComputers are easier



DISCONTINUEDDISCONTINUED



Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?

• Scale back expectationsScale back expectations

• Do more with lessDo more with less

• Attract new constituenciesAttract new constituencies

• Embrace new technologiesEmbrace new technologies

• Forego instant gratificationForego instant gratification



How To Join UsHow To Join Us

[email protected]@setileague.org+1 (800) TAU-SETI+1 (800) TAU-SETI

© 2009 The SETI League, Inc. Background © Lynette Cook All Rights Reserved Project Argus Progress...

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