Seth Shostak
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| G. Seth Shostak | |
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 Seth Shostak participating in "Death From the Skies" panel at CSICON 2011 in New Orleans
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| Born | 1943 |
| Residence | Mountain View, CA |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Physics, astronomy, science communication |
| Alma mater |
B.A. Princeton, |
| Known for | SETI research |
Seth Shostak (born July 20, 1943) is an American astronomer. He grew up in Arlington, VA[1] and earned his physics degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology.[2]
He is the Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, and the 2004 winner of the Klumpke-Roberts Award awarded by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.[3]
Before his involvement with SETI research, he used radio telescopes in the USA and the Netherlands, searching for clues to the ultimate fate of the universe by analyzing galaxy motion.
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[edit] Science Educator
In addition to his experience as an active participant in SETI research, Shostak is also involved as a science educator. He presented twelve 30-minute lectures on audio-tape and video titled "The Search for Intelligent Life in Space" for the Teaching Company in 1999.[2]
Since February 2002 Shostak has hosted the SETI Institute's radio program Are We Alone?[2] which was renamed "Big Picture Science" in July 2011.[4] Each week, Shostak interviews guests about the latest scientific research on a variety of topics: cosmology, physics, genetics, paleontology, evolutionary biology and astrobiology. Big Picture Science is distributed on the Public Radio Satellite System and the Public Radio Exchange and is available for download at the SETI Institute's website and through podcasts.
Shostak also hosts the monthly "Skeptic Check" show focused on debunking pseudo-science, U.F.O.s and practices such as astrology and dowsing.[5]
[edit] Recognition
In January 2010 he was elected as a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry[6]
He has been an observer for Project Phoenix (SETI) as well as an active participant in various international forums for SETI research. He is also Chair of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Permanent Study Group.[7]
Dr. Shostak has been nominated by the SETI Institute to be one of the USA Science and Engineering Festival's Nifty Fifty Speakers who will speak about his work and career to middle and high school students in October 2010.[1]
[edit] Personal Life
Shostak’s hobbies include film making, railroading, and computer animation. While working at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands he founded DIGIMA, a computer animation company.[3]
[edit] Bibliography
- Life in the Universe, Jeffrey O. Bennett, Bruce Jakosky and Seth Shostak, 1980, ISBN 0-385-28458-6.
- Sharing the Universe: Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life, Seth Shostak, foreword by Frank Drake 1998, ISBN 0-9653774-3-1.
- Cosmic Company: The Search for Life in the Universe, Seth Shostak, Alex Barnett, 2003, ISBN 0-521-82233-5.
- Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Seth Shostak, foreword by Frank Drake 2009, ISBN 1426203926.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Nifty Fifty". http://www.usasciencefestival.org/theniftyfiftybios. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ a b c "Shostak, Seth". SETI Institute. http://www.seti-inst.edu/about-us/staff/shostak-seth.php. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Seth Shostak". Contemporary Authors Online (Detroit: GALE Literature Resource Center). 2010.
- ^ "The Names They are a'Changin". Blog Picture Science. http://radio.seti.org/blog/2011/05/the-names-they-are-a-changin/. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Big Picture Science". About...Big Picture Science. http://radio.seti.org/pages/about_the_show. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Sixteen Notable Figures in Science and Skepticism Elected CSI Fellows". http://www.csicop.org/news/show/sixteen_notable_figures_in_science_and_skepticism_elected_csi_fellows/. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ "IAA SETI Permanent Committee". The SETI League. http://www.setileague.org/iaaseti/. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
[edit] External links
- Seth Shostak at the Internet Movie Database
- Seth Shostak biography at the SETI Institute
- SETI Institute Homepage
- "Are We Alone?" Radio Show
- "Boldly Going Nowhere" by Seth Shostak, The New York Times (April 13, 2009)
- RadioLIVE New Zealand interview with Seth Shostak
