Re: Argus: Any Argus Members conducting Optical SETI?

["Dr. H. Paul Shuch" <n6tx@setileague.org>]

At 05:48 PM 2/14/01 -0500, Larry Klaes wrote:

>Plus, seeing how more astronomers have optical telescopes 
>than radio ones, I would think more Argus members would start 
>looking for those infrared and laser pulses from the stars.  
>Can anyone provide the details on this?

Stuart Kingsley, Monte Ross and I are involved in discussions as to how The SETI League might help facilitate design of a *reproducible* and *affordable* OSETI kit.  I can envision an OSETI equivalent to our existing Tech Manual, and will hope for one or more vendors willing to produce hardware and software packages.  I agree that optical SETI is our next major growth area, and there's no reason The SETI League shouldn't take the lead here.  What we learned from the Project Argus experience is that standardization is important, and that too many options tend to confuse potential participants.  We also learned that it takes time to come up with a proven design, and that rushing the process results in many disappointed users.  So Watch This Space, as the billboard companies say, for announcements over the next year or so.