New ATA is a big boost for SETI
The first 42 dishes in the Allen Telescope Array came online last week, and are now collecting data for SETI. The array is located in Hat Creek, CA, and will eventually have 350 dishes scanning for signs of extraterrestrial life. The array is also performing some traditional radio astronomy for UC Berkeley. There’s an official press release from SETI, and news coverage from the Redding Record Searchlight and the Daily Telegraph.
Seth Shostack (SETI’s senior astronomer) described the ultimate vision for the ATA:
“The Allen Telescope Array will be like 200 million Jodie Fosters sitting out there listening”
Paul Allen put up the initial $25 million to get the site up and running, and it’ll take another $41 million to get the rest of the planned dishes built. Any Jodie Foster fans got a few million burning a hole in their pocket?
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