From: Dr. H. Paul Shuch (n6tx_at_setileague.org)
Date: Wed Jul 02 2003 - 05:38:38 PDT
At 08:59 AM 7/2/03 +0100, William Edmondson wrote:
>Are RA wavelengths other than those listed above blocked by atmospheric or
>physical or parochial/social factors?
The electromagnetic spectrum is a valuable and finite resource. Commercial
applications have pretty much staked out all available wavelengths,
producing a level of RF pollution that makes radio astronomy difficult if
not impossible in many locations. Radio astronomers fight (usually
unsuccessfully) to protect the most crucial areas of the spectrum from
encroachment. Hans' list shows the few very narrow protected segments
left. There would be other, equally good areas of the spectrum to conduct
SETI observations, but for Earth's technology making them unusable. This
is why the IAA Cosmic Study to put a radio telescope on lunar farside is
far more than science fiction, but a very important scientific reality
(lacking only funding).
--------------------------------
H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, FBIS, FRCA
Executive Director, The SETI League, Inc.
433 Liberty Street, PO Box 555
Little Ferry NJ 07643 USA
voice (201) 641-1770; fax (201) 641-1771
n6tx_at_setileague.org www.setileague.org
Project Argus station FN11LH
"We Know We're Not Alone!"
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