Story by Catherine Middleton (2000.04.12):

Images from Project Phoenix@Arecibo, made with their SETICams. Collected, introduced and commented by Catherine Middleton.

Introduction.

Project Phoenix is a privately funded continuation of an axed NASA SETI program, which currently runs for 6 weeks (2 x 3 week observations) each year at the 305-meter Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico. Although SETI@home is the world's largest supercomputer, Project Phoenix remains the world's most sensitive SETI experiment. Please visit www.seti-inst.edu for more information.

In an effort to de-mystify the search and increase public awareness of SETI, the SETI Institute installed web-cams at the telescope to allow anyone interested to watch the scientists at work, targeting nearby stars for radio signals. This particular observing run was from February 22 to March 14, 2000. The next 3 week search will commence later this year.

SETICam A provided a view of the 3 main computers that display information on the star being observed, as well as signals that are being investigated. Also visible are members of the Phoenix team, looking both busy and occasionally photogenic.
SETICam B was a loose cannon. During the day, it was trained on the Arecibo antenna. At night, reflections on the intervening windows made this view problematic, and what internet spectators saw here was determined by the whim of the Phoenix staff.

The web-cam images below were on-line 24/7 and refreshed every 2 minutes, but there was no audio. Exactly what the Phoenix staff were doing or discussing was left to the imagination of the viewer. Here are some thoughts from my warped mind whilst logging-on for a gander.

Note: For the uninitiated, "chupacabras" are famished aliens who, it is said by Arecibo locals, roam the island, eating goats. Frankly, I'm more than a little skeptical about cosmic visitors that would come from light-years away to chow down on our billies!
 

Do you think we should bring in SETICam B?   [Sigh...]   [Looking at phone bill] It can't be that much?!   [Captured Chupacabra's view from back room]   Hey, you look that way, and I'll look this way...   It's no good hiding Seth, I can still see you.   Hmmmm, 6 across; 9 letters...   Smegal: May I have the sports section when you've finished? Well I'm buggered if I know how to work it.   [SETICam B admiring itself in intervening window reflection] Back, back, back! Use your lasers to blast 'em!   Yes, mom, I remembered to pack clean underwear.   Shostak: Do you think I smell?   [Quick evening nap]   Not now ET, I'm in the middle of an ABC chat session. Shostak: Are you trying to be funny Ross?   I haven't a clue either - I've only used Windows 95 before... Tarter: Now stop playing games and do some real work. Backus: Is he dead or what?   Er, is this Candid Camera then?   Backus: Sure beats watching TV at any rate.   Backus: Ah, time for a quick surf on the 'Net methinks. Sorry ET, Seth is not home at the moment...   [And now a word from our sponsor]   Jordan: Honest, you should have seen me, it was my best Quake score to date. [Greetings from Earth]   Kilsdonk: Believe me, my stutter was much worse at school. Middleton: You'll enjoy this page more after a few drinks.