Seth Shostak
{{short description|American astronomer and author (born 1943)}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = G. Seth Shostak
| image = Seth Shostak.jpg
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| caption = Shostak in 2017 giving a talk at NASA's Langley Research Center
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|7|20}}
| birth_place = Arlington County, Virginia, US
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| fields = Physics, astronomy, science communication
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| alma_mater = Princeton (BA)
California Institute of Technology (PhD)
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| known_for = SETI research
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| awards = Klumpke-Roberts Award (2004)
Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization (2015)
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| module = {{Listen
| filename = Seth Shostak at SkeptiCal 2018.ogg
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Seth Shostak (born July 20, 1943) is an American astronomer and author, and is currently the senior astronomer for the SETI Institute.{{cite web |last=Shostak |first=Seth |title=Using Radio in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence |url=https://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/HHRG-113-SY-WState-SShostak-20140521.pdf |date=21 May 2014 |work=US Congress |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924002658/https://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/HHRG-113-SY-WState-SShostak-20140521.pdf |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-date=2018-09-24 }}{{cite news |last=Kleineidam |first=Alina |title=Astronomers tell Congress they're almost certain ET exists |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/05/astronomers-tell-congress-almost-certain-et-exists/ |date=21 May 2014 |work=ABC News |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522105049/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/05/astronomers-tell-congress-almost-certain-et-exists/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.theskepticsguide.org/ |title=Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast 582 2016-09-03 |access-date=2016-09-05 |archive-date=2006-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060417155253/http://www.theskepticsguide.org/ |url-status=live }}
Shostak hosts SETI's weekly radio show/podcast Big Picture Science, has played himself numerous times in TV and internet film dramas, and has acted in several science fiction films.
Early life and education
Seth Shostak was born in a Jewish family in Arlington County, Virginia, the son of Arthur and Bertha Shostak (née Gortenburg); his father was an electrical engineer.{{cite web |title=1950 United States Federal Census |url=https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/29423504?h=ff5052 |website=Ancestry.com |access-date=12 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=Nifty Fifty|url=http://www.usasciencefestival.org/theniftyfiftybios|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429035609/http://www.usasciencefestival.org/theniftyfiftybios|archive-date=29 April 2012}} He earned his BS in physics from Princeton University and a PhD in astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology.{{cite web|title=Shostak, Seth|url=http://www.seti-inst.edu/about-us/staff/shostak-seth.php|publisher=SETI Institute|access-date=12 October 2011|archive-date=26 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126114240/http://www.seti-inst.edu/about-us/staff/shostak-seth.php|url-status=live}}
Professional work
Shostak used radio telescopes in the US and the Netherlands, searching for clues to the ultimate fate of the universe by analyzing galaxy motion. In 1999, he produced twelve 30-minute lectures on audio-tape and video titled "The Search for Intelligent Life in Space" for The Teaching Company. An updated overview about the search for extraterrestrial life was presented in 2019.{{cite news |last=Shostak |first=Seth |author-link=Seth Shostak |title=We may be closing in on the discovery of alien life. Are we prepared? - New robotic craft bound for Mars should give us our best shot at finding life on the Red Planet. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/we-may-be-closing-discovery-alien-life-are-we-prepared-ncna1062176 |date=4 October 2019 |work=NBC News |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005140438/https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/we-may-be-closing-discovery-alien-life-are-we-prepared-ncna1062176 |url-status=live }}
= SETI Institute=
Since 2001, he has been the senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to "explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe". SETI Institute, located in Mountain View, California, employs over 50 researchers that study all aspects of the search for life, its origins, the environment in which life develops, and its ultimate fate.
He was the chair of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Permanent Committee from 2003-2012.{{cite web|title=IAA SETI Permanent Committee: Minutes|url=http://avsport.org/IAA/minutes.htm|website=avsport.org|access-date=2016-10-26|archive-date=2018-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722055149/http://avsport.org/IAA/minutes.htm|url-status=dead}}
Public outreach
File:CSICON 2011-Seth Shostak (cropped).JPG
Shostak is an active participant in the Institute's observation programs and has been hosting SETI's weekly radio show Big Picture Science{{cite web|last=Seth|first=Shostak|title=Big Picture Science|url=http://radio.seti.org/|publisher=SETI Institute|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=30 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130101108/http://radio.seti.org/|url-status=live}} since 2002. 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" episodes of Big Picture Science, focused on debunking pseudoscience, UFOs and practices such as astrology and dowsing.{{cite web|title=Big Picture Science|url=http://radio.seti.org/pages/about_the_show|work=About...Big Picture Science|access-date=12 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001041153/http://radio.seti.org/pages/about_the_show|archive-date=1 October 2011}}
He has published four books, nearly 300 popular articles on astronomy, technology, film and television and gives frequent talks to both young and adult audiences.{{cite web|last=Shostak|first=Seth|title=Seth Shostak: ET is (probably) out there -- get ready|url=http://www.ted.com/speakers/seth_shostak.html|publisher=Ted.com|access-date=2014-01-27|archive-date=2014-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123025254/http://www.ted.com/speakers/seth_shostak.html|url-status=live}}
Filmography
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! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |
| 2008
| The Day the Earth Stood Still | advisor: astrobiology (crew) | A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth. |
| 2007
| Enterprise Communications Officer (actor) | Video |
=Television / web series=
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! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | As ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes | |||
| 2017 | How the Universe Works | Himself as Astronomer | Episode: "Strangest Alien Worlds" |
| 2013 | Alien Encounters (TV Mini-Series) | Himself as Senior Astronomer | Episode:"The Offspring" Episode:"The Invasion" |
| 2012-2013 | Ancient Aliens (TV Series Documentary) | Himself as Senior Astronomer | Episode: "Destination Orion" Episode:"Aliens and Cover-Ups" Episode:"The Time Travelers" Episode:"The NASA Connection" |
| 2012 | Science Club (TV Series) | Himself - SETI Institute | Episode:"Space" |
| 2008-2012 | Horizon (TV Series Documentary) | Himself - SETI Institute | Episode:"The Transit of Venus: A Horizon Special" Episode:"Are We Alone in the Universe?" |
| 2012 | Prophets of Science Fiction (TV Series Documentary) | Himself | Episode:"George Lucas" |
| 2011 | Curiosity (TV series documentaries) | Himself | Episode: Alien Invasion Are We Ready" |
| 2010 | Ideas That Changed the World{{IMDb title|1791025|Ideas That Changed the World}} (TV Series Documentary) | Himself | Episode:"Communication" |
| 2010 | Lost Tapes (TV Series) | Himself - Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute | Episode:"Reptilian" |
| 2010 | Bad Universe (TV Series Documentary) | Himself | Episode:"Alien Attack!" |
| 2010 | Naked Science (TV Series Documentary) | Himself as Senior Astronomer | Episode: "Hunt for Aliens" Episode:"Alien Contact(2004)" |
| 2009 | The Colbert Report (TV Series) | Himself (Guest) - SETI Institute | Episode:"Episode #5.70" |
| 2007 | UFO Files (TV Series Documentary) | Himself - SETI Institute | Episode:"Alien Hunters" Episode (2005):"UFO Hunters" Episode (2005):"The Day After Roswell" |
| 2007 | The Universe (TV Series Documentary) | Himself as Senior Astronomer | Episode:"Search for E.T." |
| 2007 | Is It Real? (TV Series Documentary) | Himself as Astronomer | Episode: "Life on Mars" |
| 2005 | Extraterrestrial (TV Movie Documentary) | Himself - SETI Institute | "SETI Institute" |
| 2005 | How William Shatner Changed the World (TV Movie Documentary) | Himself - SETI Institute | "SETI Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence" |
| 1998 | Life Beyond Earth{{IMDb title|0209101|Life Beyond Earth}} (TV Movie Documentary) | | Science Advisor (crew) | Written by Timothy Ferris for Public Broadcasting Service |
Recognition
Shostak was the 2004 winner of the Klumpke-Roberts Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.{{cite news|title=Seth Shostak|newspaper=Contemporary Authors Online|location=Detroit|publisher=GALE Literature Resource Center|date=2010}}
In January 2010 he was elected as a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI),{{cite web |url=http://www.csicop.org/news/show/sixteen_notable_figures_in_science_and_skepticism_elected_csi_fellows/ |title=Sixteen Notable Figures in Science and Skepticism Elected CSI Fellows |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=2011-08-07 |archive-date=2011-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805022638/http://www.csicop.org/news/show/sixteen_notable_figures_in_science_and_skepticism_elected_csi_fellows |url-status=live }} and in October 2019 was a featured speaker at the organization's annual conference, CSICon.{{cite web |title=CSICon 2019: Speakers |url=https://csiconference.org/speakers/ |website=CSIconference.org/ |publisher=CFI |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025181214/https://csiconference.org/speakers/ |archive-date=25 October 2019}}
He has been an observer for Project Phoenix (SETI) as well as an active participant in various international forums for SETI research. He served as chair of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Permanent Study Group from 2002 to 2012.{{cite web|title=IAA SETI Permanent Committee|url=http://www.setileague.org/iaaseti/|publisher=The SETI League|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927061232/http://www.setileague.org/iaaseti/|url-status=live}}
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.
Personal life
Seth became interested in electronics and amateur radio as a young student.{{cite web|title=ET is (Probably) Out There — Get Ready|date=2 June 2012 |publisher=TED|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/seth_shostak_et_is_probably_out_there_get_ready?}}
Shostak's hobbies include film making, railroading, and computer animation. While working at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, he founded DIGIMA, a computer animation company. He is a brother of Robert Shostak, developer of the Paradox relational database.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
In the spring of 1988 Seth left Groningen to help his brother, who was then working on image database software in Silicon Valley.{{Cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jFnlfuQ5_ikH3CqYz6Ahvt89w9S-3fiZVcWjC_eQoUA/pub |language=nl |title=Nieuwsblad van het Noorden |date=March 25, 1988 |access-date=2013-03-22}}
According to his C.V., Shostak has a considerable body of creative writing, mostly for corporate clients. He was also "idea man" behind a plan to build a large space and technology theme park in The Netherlands and also the Air and Space Exhibit at the California Science Center, where he also serves on the board.{{cite web|last=Shostak|first=Seth|title=Curriculum Vitae|url=http://www.seti.org/sites/default/files/Shostak-CV2009.pdf|access-date=2014-01-27|archive-date=2013-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603220738/http://www.seti.org/sites/default/files/Shostak-CV2009.pdf|url-status=live}}
Bibliography
- Life in the Universe, Jeffrey O. Bennett, Bruce Jakosky and Seth Shostak, 2003, {{ISBN|0805385770}}.
- 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|1-4262-0392-6}}.{{cite news|author=Kaufman, Marc|title=Book Review: Confessions of an Alien Hunter by Seth Shostak|date=15 March 2009|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031301269.html|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=13 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013064858/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031301269.html|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Library resources box|about=no|by=yes}}
- {{IMDb name|id=2754647|name=Seth Shostak}}
- [http://www.seti.org/users/seth-shostak Seth Shostak biography] at the SETI Institute
- [http://www.seti.org SETI Institute Homepage]
- [http://radio.seti.org "Are We Alone?" Radio Show]
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/opinion/sunday/messaging-the-stars.html Should We Keep a Low Profile in Space?]
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/opinion/14shostak.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Boldly%20Going%20Nowhere&st=cse "Boldly Going Nowhere"] by Seth Shostak, The New York Times (April 13, 2009)
- [http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Seth-Shostak-the-head-of-the-Search-for-Extraterrestrial-Intelligence-SETI-on-the-possibility-of-detecting-intelligent-life-in-the-universe/tabid/506/articleID/13387/Default.aspx Shostak interview (40:47) - RadioLIVE New Zealand (May 10, 2010)]
- {{YouTube|m9WxW2ktcKU|Shostak lecture (89:58): "The Search for Intelligent Life Among the Stars: New Strategies" (January 10, 2010)}}
- [http://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/HHRG-113-SY-WState-SShostak-20140521.pdf Shostak testimony - U.S.Congress: "Using Radio in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" (May 21, 2014)]
- {{cite web|url=http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/news/could-be-humanitys-last-century|title=Could This Be Humanity's Last Century?|author=Shostak, Seth|website=SETI Institute|date=15 January 2016}}
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Category:Jewish American scientists
Category:American astrobiologists
Category:Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
Category:American talk radio hosts
Category:California Institute of Technology alumni
Category:Princeton University alumni
Category:Academic staff of the University of Groningen
Category:American people of Ukrainian descent
Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent