No problem.  The entire proceedings are available for purchase on DVD.  So now you can enjoy SETIcon wherever, whenever. To purchase these digitized proceedings is simple – just click here!

SETIcon was a singular mind-meld of science and imagination, and now you can have your favorite bits with you forever.

Fireside chats (think ‘Stephen Colbert’) will provide an intimate setting for an in-depth conversation with our speakers and participants. The interviews will be held in the Magnolia Room. Each chat will last 30 minutes, and provide about 15 minutes for questions from the audience with the speakers. The interviews include Jill Tarter, Kevin Grazier, Alex Filippenko, Mae Jemison, Andre Bormanis, Robert Picardo and many many more.

Fireside chats are listed on the SETIcon schedule and are included with all day and weekend passes.

SETIcon Auction Benefits Science Research and STEM Education Learn More

	“Earthrise” by Bill Anders, Apollo 8 Astronaut This photo was taken by Bill Anders from Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve 1968. This absolutely stunning image of our home rising above the lunar surface reminds us that we are stewards of a fragile island in a universe of possibilities, and that we need to take the utmost care of our Mother Earth. The actual poster is 24” x 24”, will be delivered to winning bidder, framed and signed by Mr. Anders. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	“Odyssey III” By Carol Berry 18” x 14” oil painting, circa 1975. Value: $1,500
	Bottle of The Oracle, Napa Valley Red Wine, Vintage 2004 (Donated by David Pratt, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) This bottle of red scores 90 points by Robert Parker, December 2007. “A beautiful wine from this Napa winery… Deep ruby/purple, with spicy aromatics intertwined with some lush blackberry and cassis fruit, opulent on the palate, with full body silky tannins, and low acidity. It is a beauty that should drink handsomely for at least a decade. Drink 2007 – 2017.” Value: $200
	SETIcon I Memorabilia (Donated by Barbara Vance, SETI Institute) Now you can remember your adventure to SETIcon I with this original set of a SETIcon I program and flyer, signed by the designing artist, Paul Duffield. Value: $25
	Original Computer Processor (Donated by Gerry Harp, SETI Institute) This board predates the time of fast fourier transform algorithm implementations in software. Back in the day (-15 years ago), to do this processing was very expensive/not available. This custom board did the equivalent of a fast fourier transform in real time on 2 MHz of data. This board was part of the last-generation SETI search system and was used in the field. Starting about 5 years ago we began performing this processing in software and this board was retired about 3 years ago. A similar device of ours resides at the Smithsonian, and this is the very last board of its kind that we have in our possession. In the current generation system, using the FFTW library, off-the-shelf computers can do approximately the same job at a tiny fraction of the cost with very little non-recoverable development cost.  As far as is known, this board is fully functional. Notice the hand-tweaking of the board layout with tiny blue wires soldered in place to fix design flaws! Now that is what we used to call bleeding edge technology. Value: Priceless
	One week stay in Donner Lake cabin (Donated by Jill Tartar, SETI Institute, and Jack Welch, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) This 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home will sleep up to 10 guests and is yours for 7 days during the month of either September or October 2012 or September or October 2013. Includes a game room with pool table. Caveat: Bidders should be aware that there this home is on multiple levels and has stairs. Value: Live Auction Item
	“51 Pegasi” (Donated by artist, Lynette Cook) This 23¬-3/4” x 19-1/2” piece is double matted, framed with acid-free materials and glazing with a UV inhibitor, signed by artist, Lynette Cook. This image has been reproduced worldwide, with the original residing in the Geneva Observatory collection. 51 Pegasi b is the first exo-planet confirmed to be orbiting a sun-like star. Value: Live Auction Item
	Infinite Worlds: An Illustrated Voyage to Planets Beyond Our Sun (Donated by artist/co-author Lynette Cook) A decade ago, there were no known planets orbiting sunlike stars outside our own solar system. Since then, fast-paced developments in astronomy have revealed over 140 extrasolar planets. This lavishly illustrated book gives us an idea of what those far-flung worlds might look like. Lynette Cook’s internationally renowned astronomical artwork joins with the latest and most dramatic images from the world’s top observatories, and up-to-the-minute scientific findings on subjects ranging from the big bang and stellar evolution to a possible universe filled with countless planets and life forms. Ray Villard’s text elegantly describes the state of astronomy today, imagines where it will take us in the coming years, ponders the chances of success for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and explores the survivability of life in an evolving and accelerating universe.  Lynette Cook will personalize this volume for the winning bidder. Value: Live Auction Item
	The Box of Stars (Donated by Edna DeVore, SETI Institute) The Box of Stars is a set of cards and is a practical guide to the night sky and to its myths and legends, by Catherine Tennant. This set includes a guide book, perforated star plates with classical drawings of constellations, and a small northern hemisphere poster of the sky. Value: $25
	Family Membership to California Academy of Sciences For two cardholders and your children/grandchildren. Family membership enjoys a full year of: •Free unlimited daily admission •Members-only hours: Sun. 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Tues. 8:30 am – 9:30 am •Members-only entrance •Personalized member card •Planetarium shows and passes for members only •Invitations to members-only events and exhibit previews •Members-only Penguin Feedings and Family Nature Crafts •Free admission to Pritzker Members’ Lectures •10% savings on dining at Academy Cafe and the Moss Room •10–25% savings on shopping, special lectures, Behind-the-Scenes Tour and NightLife •Subscription to Academy Member eNews •Unlimited free admission for two cardholders, all of your own children/grandchildren (18 years of age and under) each time you visit. Value: $199
	Four General Admission Tickets to the California Academy of Sciences Value: $120
	One Hour Private Flight in an Historic Military Plane (Donated by David Forter) Experience the thrill of a lifetime! A Bay Area sightseeing flight for one hour (with aerobatics – at your option). Fly with a full sky view under the canopy of a beautifully restored T-34 Mentor military trainer. Flight will depart from either the Palo Alto or San Jose airport. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Expedition to the Stars (Donated by Edna DeVore, SETI Institute) Expedition to the Stars is a 3-D model of the local universe that displays the nearby stars searched by the NASA SETI program which was launched in 1992. The model has never been assembled and is in the original box. Value: $30
	Two CDs of Space Music (Donated by Loch Ness Productions) One copy each of two CDs of space music by Geodesium (www.geodesium.com). “Stella Novus” and “A Gentle Rain of Starlight”. Value: $30
	An Astrobiologist in Your Child’s Classroom! (Donated by Dr. Margaret Race, SETI Institute) Imagine! Dr. Margaret Race, SETI Institute’s Principal Investigator and ecologist, will bring a basket of “alien goodies” along with a fascinating and age-appropriate lesson to your child’s K-12 science classroom, afterschool program, or even a community group – to teach about astrobiology and searches for ET. Dr. Race will tailor the presentation, and related activity, based on the students’ needs or interests. S.F. Bay Area only.  Expires as of end of academic school year in 2013. Value: $300
	Selections from the NASA Art Collection (Donated by Edna DeVore, SETI Institute) This collection of prints is artwork commissioned by NASA and depicts space exploration. The prints span the range from abstract to realistic art, and are suitable for framing. Includes a presentation folder that protects the unframed set of 11” x 14” prints. Value: $250
	Spaceopoly (Donated by Edna DeVore, SETI Institute) You’ve seen regular Monopoly and Monopoly “SpongeBob Square Pants”. Monopoly “Simpsons”, Monopoly “Star Wars”. Here is “Spaceopoly”, the space-y real estate game for 2-6 players, suitable for ages 7 to adult. Game includes board, cards, pieces and is ready to play! Value: $15
	Mars Meteorite (Donated by David Morrison, SETI Institute) No humans have yet gone to Mars, but a small piece of the Red Planet could come to you. SETI Institute scientist David Morrison is offering a 6 milligram piece of the Martian meteorite NWA 4925. It’s a small, dark bit of rock, boxed in a plastic case, and about the size of a poppy seed (image shown is larger than actual size). Geologically, it’s catagorized as an olivine-phyric shergottite. Few people have the opportunity to hold in their hands a piece of another planet, but this extraordinary privilege could be yours. Value: Priceless
	Bird Sculpture by Beniamino Bufano (Donated by Al Bagley, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) In 1977, the Bufano Society created a limited number of these beautiful birds as thank you gifts to Hewlett Packard. This Bird, number 30 of this limited edition, stands approximately 5” tall atop its own base. Value: $500
	Tour of SETI@home and Space Sciences Laboratory, UC Berkeley (Donated by Dan Werthimer, Chief Scientist of SETI@home) Dan Werthimer, Chief Scientist of SETI@home, will lead a one hour tour of up to 10 people through UC Berkeley’s Space Science Laboratory, including the SETI lab, Stardust@home lab, the Satelite Control Center, the High Bay, and the Vacuum Test facility. The SETI@home project uses the world’s largest radio telescope to search for radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. 5 Million SETI@home participants in 226 countries have formed Earth’s most powerful supercomputer by combining their desktop PCs. SETI@home users have a small but captivating possibility their computer will detect the first signal from a civilization beyond Earth. Value: Priceless
	“Arrival At Phobos” (Donated by artist, Pascal Lee, SETI Institute Planetary Scientist) This painting depicts the arrival of a future manned spaceship from Earth in the vicinity of Mars’s dark and mysterious inner satellite, Phobos. Humans may journey to Mars Orbit and explore the planet’s two small moons before they are ready to explore Mars itself. This painting shows what an early mission to Mars Orbit might look like. The vessel is a hybrid nuclear and solar powered spacecraft. A Certificate of Authenticity is included. Value: $1,000
	Vacation in Bend, Oregon (Donated by Peter and Myrtle Berger) Take a break and spend 4 days/3 nights in beautiful Bend, Oregon, known throughout the world as an all-season destination for outside activities. This private home is 3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms and sleeps 5 easily. From here, you can get to both downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing and biking. There are even unique geologic features nearby to explore! Bend has excellent restaurants, museums, nightlife, and shopping. If you get tired of being out and about, retire back to the house where there are board games, a fireplace, WiFi, TV, a fully-equipped kitchen with dishes, linens, spices, condiments, etc. Enjoy breakfast on the master bedroom deck! It is perfect for a trip with a family or friends. Restrictions: Expires one year after auction, unless owner OK. Not available November 22-25, 2012 or December 21, 2012 – January 2, 2013. No pets. Value: Live Auction Item
	Overnight Stay at Lick Observatory at IM-Nickel Telescope (Donated by Frank Marchis, SETI Institute) Spend a unique night at the Lick Observatory. You will be involved in ground-based telescopic observations at the Lick IM-Nickel telescope with Frank Marchis, SETI Institute’s Planetary Astronomer. Date to be arranged and based on the scientist’s availability. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Overnight Stay at Lick Observatory with Astonomers at work (Donated by Frank Marchis, SETI Institute) Here’s a second chance to spend a unique night at the Lick Observatory. You will be involved in ground-based telescopic observations and will see astronomers do their work. The telescope will be the Shange 3M telescope and the project will be testing a new type of instrument called a “Fibered Imager”. Date to be arranged and based on use schedule, but in September/October 2012. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	An Astrophotographic Tour at the Allen Telescope Array with Seth Shostak, SETI Institute’s Senior Astronomer Join Seth Shostak for tour for 2 of the Allen Telescope Array in No. California’s Hat starting and ending at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, with a one night stay in Burney, near the ATA. You will get a personal tour of the facility and an evening session during a new moon, in which to photograph the antennas and the spectacular night sky. Dinner in Burney will be included, as well as breakfast and lunches en route. Caveat: Seth cannot guarantee clear skies! Date to be arranged by mutual agreement with Seth and the phases of the moon. Double occupancy for overnight stay. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Chagall’s “Floral Bouquet” (Donated by Pierre Schwob, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) Large framed, photomechanical graphic, published in 1997 by REA Productions. Edition size: 500 Arabic. Plate destroyed. Includes Certificate of Authenticity. Value: $750
	Chagall’s “Les Lupins Bleu” (Donated by Pierre Schwob, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) Large framed, photomechanical graphic, published in 1999 by REA Productions. Edition size: 500 Arabic. Plate destroyed. Includes Certificate of Authenticity. Value: $750
	Chagall’s “Red Bouquet with Lovers” (Donated by Pierre Schwob, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) Large framed, photomechanical graphic, published in 2001 by REA Productions. Edition size: 500 Arabic. Plate destroyed. Includes Certificate of Authenticity. Value: $750
	Dinner with Pierre Schwob and a special guest from Stanford Physics/SLAC or SETI Institute (Donated by Pierre Schwob, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) Join Pierre Schwob at his Palo Alto home for an intellectually stimulating and tasty dinner! Up to 4 people will break bread with Pierre and a scientist of reknown who will share their experiences of Stanford Physics/SLAC or the SETI Institute (the guest will be a surprise!). Experience the thrill of being in the same room as the first editions of the most important scientific volumes, such as the first-ever printing of the complete works of Euclid, the first edition of Galileo’s Dialogues and others. Date to be mutually arranged for a weeknight. Value: Priceless Live
	SLAC and Kavli Institute Tour and Dinner with Pierre Schwob (Donated by Pierre Schwob, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) Pierre Schwob has made arrangements, for up to 4 people, to enjoy a private tour of SLAC and the Kavli Institute for Particle Physics and Cosmology. While SLAC tours are available free to the public, this tour is unique in giving you the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the greatest scientific minds in Physics and Cosmology. After the tour, you will all be invited back to Pierre’s beautiful Palo Alto home for a sumptuous and intellectually stimulating dinner.  Date to be mutually arranged for a weeknight. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Andromedome Paperweight (Donated by Shasta Visions) The Earth, Mars and Moon, as highly detailed glass marbles to scale, are suspended above the beautiful full-color Andromeda Galaxy in this handsome 4” diameter dome paperweight. Shasta Visions has expertly crafted this dome to be a cherished keepsake for generations. Value: $78
	Autographed copy of Disney’s Wonderful World of Space (Donated by author Andrew Fraknoi, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) How hot is the sun? How big is the moon? Could there be life on other planets? Andrew Fraknoi has written a book that engages children with fascinating facts about galaxies, planets, stars, space exploration, and more! Information is presented in an easy-to-understand and fast-paced question-and-answer format, along with explanatory sidebars and character commentary. Value: $30
	Autographed copy of The Planets, The Universe (Donated by co-editor Andrew Fraknoi, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) These science and science fiction books, written by Andrew Fraknoi. Value: $
	Autographed copy of Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier (Donated by author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director, Hayden Planetarium) A thought-provoking and humorous collection on NASA and the future of space travel. Now that NASA has put human space flight effectively on hold—with a five- or possibly ten-year delay until the next launch of astronauts from U.S. soil—Tyson’s views on the future of space travel and America’s role in that future are especially timely and urgent. This book represents the best of Tyson’s commentary, including a candid new introductory essay on NASA and partisan politics, giving us an eye-opening manifesto on the importance of space exploration for America’s economy, security, and morale. Value: $16
	Autographed copy of Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution (Donated by co-author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director, Hayden Planetarium) This book explores cosmic science’s stunning new insights into the formation and evolution of our universe – of the cosmos, of galaxies and galaxy clusters, of stars within galaxies, of orbiting planets, and of different forms of life, distilling complex science in clear and lively prose. Value: $
	Autographed copy of Death by Black Hole: and Other Cosmic Quandaries (Donated by author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director, Hayden Planetarium) Readers of the monthly “Universe” essays in Natural History magazine will recognize Neil deGrasse Tyson’s guidance through the mysteries of the cosmos with clarity and enthusiasm. In this book, Tyson compiles his favorite essays across a myriad of cosmic topics, introducing readers to the physics of black holes by explaining the gory details of what would happen to your body if you fell into one; examining the needless friction between science and religion in the context of historical conflicts; exploring astral life from the frontiers of astrobiology. And more. Value: $
	Autographed copy of The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet (Donated by author Neil deGrasse Tyson, Director, Hayden Planetarium) When the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History reclassified Pluto as an icy comet, the New York Times proclaimed on page one, “Pluto Not a Planet? Only in New York.” Pluto is entrenched in our cultural and emotional view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Rose Center, went on a quest to discover why. Value: $
	Tasting for Two and bottle of Terrior Gin (Donated by St. George Spirits) St. George Spirits, in Alameda, has been a distillery of delicious spirits, including pear, raspberry and coffee flavored liqueurs, sour cherry eau de vie, Zinfandel grappa, single malt whiskey, and since it was legalized in the U.S. in 2007, absinthe! Tours of the distillery are free to the public on weekends, but tastings are not! This is a terrific item! Value: $95
	Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, the First Encounter (Donated by Stephen Gold) This book, now out of print, was recommended on the reading list from SETI’s firs conference on February 24 and 25, 1977. However what makes it even more unique is that it comes from the library of James Doohan, who signed it as his own, and then had co-workers and friends to the same: William Shatner, George Takai, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Gene Rodenberry, Leonard Nimoy, Gary Lockwood and Keir Dullea. Value: $
	Ultra-Rare “Shuttle Bear” Plush Collectibles (Donated by David Knight, Film Producer of upcoming film “SHUTTLE 3D & The New Pioneers”) Limited-availability plush Shuttle Bears – these cute bears wearing NASA’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ shirt were made to commemorate the closing of the Space Shuttle program by NASA employees – visit Shuttle Bear’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/shuttlebear. Value: Priceless
	Lunch with a Shuttle Astronaut! (Donated by David Knight, Film Producer of upcoming film “SHUTTLE 3D & The New Pioneers”) The winner and up to three guests are invited to dine with SHUTTLE3D & The New Pioneers Producer David Knight and a Space Shuttle astronaut – plus get a private screening of the film. Location and date dependent upon city where the winner is located, and astronaut availability (this is not a NASA activity). Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Come to a Space Launch! (Donated by David Knight, Film Producer of upcoming film “SHUTTLE 3D & The New Pioneers”) The winner and one guest are invited to attend a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch with SHUTTLE3D & The New Pioneers Producer David Knight – plus receive a special SHUTTLE3D mission jacket for each! Date(s) dependent upon launch schedule (subject to last-minute changes caused by weather and other variables). Fulfillment of this activity is by a private party and not by SpaceX or NASA. Winner(s) to provide own transportation and lodging. May be required to submit to federal background check for access credentials. Open to US Citizens. International residents subject to federal-level approval. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Dinner for Six with Alex Filippenko at the Berkeley home of SETI Institute Chairman John Gertz Did you know that 73% of the Universe is made up of something we know little about? It’s called Dark Energy, and it may be what is responsible for the “accelerating expansion of the Universe.” The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to the leaders of two teams whose research led to this amazing discovery. Dr. Alex Filippenko, UC Berkeley Professor of Astronomy, made critical observations and contributions that led to these results. Over dinner at the Berkeley home of SETI Institute Chairman, John Gertz, Alex will shares these stories, explaining their discovery in understandable ways with his approachable style, humor, and passion. He has numerous appearances on the History Channel, BBC, Discovery Science, and Nova. As well as being voted “Best Professor” on campus for the 9th time, and “National Professor of the Year for 2006.” In addition, Alex will bestow a special gift on the winning bidder of a copy of his 12 part DVD series “Skywatching: Seeing and Understanding Cosmic Wonders”, a copy of his award-winning textbook, “The Cosmos: Astronomy in the New Millennium,” as well as a humorous t-shirt his wife, Noelle, created for all of his team members to commemorate the Nobel Prize, “Dark Energy is the New Black.” Date to be mutually agreed upon. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Parks 10 x 24 DWCF Binoculars and Alex Filippenko’s Great Course “Skywatching: Seeing and Understanding Cosmic Wonders”(Donated by Sam and Maria Sweiss of Scope City) Scope City, the world’s largest optical supermarket for astronomy, sports, science and education instruments, are providing this outstanding skywatching package! It begins with a pair of Parks 10 x 24 DWCF Binoculars – midsize, shock resistant, water resistant and delivering a bright sharp image. Great for day and night time viewing. And to get the most from these binoculars, Scope City is including astronomer and professor, Dr. Alex Filippenko’s new 12-part DVD series from The Great Courses, “Skywatching: Seeing and Understanding Cosmic Wonders”, a visually stunning tour of the sky’s most dazzling displays, most of which you can see even without binoculars. Come to understand the science behind the phenomena, and how best to observe them. Value: $800
	America’s Cup Backstage Tour and Dinner at the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco (Donated by John Billingham, member of SETI Institute Board of Trustees) You, as the winning bidder, and one companion, will join Bob Billingham, the San Francisco Manager for Infrastructure on the America’s Cup Race Management, Olympic sailing medalist and crew member on an America’s Cup winning boat, for a tour of the America’s Cup team base area. The tour represents a special backstage “pit pass” experience unique to the America’s Cup. You will go inside the team base technical area, see how the boats are prepared and readied for the race, meet AC sailors, and see what it takes to race an America’s Cup boat. After your tour, Dr. John Billingham will take you both to highly professional quality dinner at the St. Francis Yacht Club on the waterfront of the San Francisco Marina, a spectacular setting! The tour will begin at approx. 5:00 pm on either Thursday August 23, 2012 or Friday, August 24, 2012. Dinner will begin at approx. 7:30 pm. Winning bidder and companion will be responsible fo their own transportation to and from the event. Note that boats will be racing on the Bay in the afternoon before the tour, and can be viewed on television in any suitable location before the event. Value: Priceless Live Auction Item
	Autographed copy of Hedy’s Folly (Donated by author Richard Rhodes) What do Hedy Lamarr, avant-garde composer George Antheil, and your cell phone have in common? The answer is spread-spectrum radio: a revolutionary inven¬tion based on the rapid switching of communications sig¬nals among a spread of different frequencies. Without this technology, we would not have the digital comforts that we take for granted today. Unhappily married to a Nazi arms dealer, Lamarr fled to America at the start of World War II, bringing not only her theatrical talent but also a gift for technical innovation. An introduction to Antheil at a Hollywood dinner table culminated in a U.S. patent for a jam- proof radio guidance system for torpedoes—the unlikely duo’s gift to the U.S. war effort. Hedy’s Folly is a riveting book about unlikely amateur inventors collaborating to change the world. Value: $30
	Shooting Star Pendant of White Gold and Red Sapphire (Donated by John Biagiotti, Metamorphosis Design) This beautiful shooting star pendant features a brilliant cut, .30 carat red Sapphire set in 14k white gold with a trail of Gibeon meteorite. The trail is hand carved from meteorite and has been etched with nitric acid to reveal the characteristic patterns, or Widmanstatten figures, of iron meteorites. It hangs from an 18k yellow gold bale that has been laser welded to the back of the meteorite and is on a single strand, stainless steel cable with a 14k gold clasp. The pendant measures 29 mm by 9 mm. Value: $590
	“Cosmic Awakening” (Donated by artist Lynette Cook) 37” x 37” Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, gouache, ink, watercolor) on 100% cotton rag illustration board. Original work of art created entirely by hand, featuring a hibiscus flower as the dish of a radio telescope that scans the heavens for signals. Far away, an alien life form sends a signal toward Earth. Value: $2,400
	“HD168443 System” (Donated by artist Lynette Cook) 27.75” x 22” Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, gouache) on 100% cotton rag illustration board. Original work of art created entirely by hand, of a sun-like star located 123 light years away in the constellation Serpens. It is orbited by both a massive planet and another bulkier object of 17 – 40 Jupiter masses. The star and inner planet are visible in the upper left, with the outer companion shown as a ringed world with a flare. Value: $1,400
	“HD177830 b and Moon” (Donated by artist Lynette Cook) 25” x 18.75” Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, acrylic gouache) on 100% cotton rag illustration board. Original work of art created entirely by hand, of HD177830 b, a 1.52 Jupiter mass planet orbiting the K0 star HD177830, located 192 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula. Value: $1,400
	“Planetary Disk” (Donated by artist Lynette Cook) 22.25” x 23.75” Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, gouache) on 100% cotton rag illustration board. Original work of art created entirely by hand, first commissioned by Astronomy magazine for the November 1998 issue. It shows a disk of gas and dust around a central sunlike star. A planetesimal forms in the lower left-hand corner. Comets streak toward the sun. Star-forming clouds make a colorful background. Value: $1,400
	“Seeking Intelligent Life in the Milky Way” (Donated by artist Lynette Cook) 26.25” x 26” Mixed Media (acrylic, colored pencil, gouache) on 100% cotton rag illustration board. Original work of art created entirely by hand, first commissioned by Sky & Telescope magazine for the December 1998 issue. A radio telescope surveys the heavens, listening to sounds from space sent by intelligent beings far away. Shown against the Milky Way is a planet with clear signs of a technologically advance civilization. Value: $1,800
	Private Winery Tour and Tasting for 6 (Donated by Black Coyote Wines) Dr. Ernest Bates formed the Black Coyote label with a few close friends in 2000, creating one of the first African American wineries in the Napa Valley. You will go with 5 friends for a private tour of the winery and process, lead by Vanessa Robledo, owner and fourth generation vineyard worker, set in the beautiful Napa Valley. Caveat: Expires 7/31/2013. Value: Live Auction Item
	IT Security Posture Analysis and Consulting (Donated by the Security and Forensics Group) IT Security Posture Analysis and Consulting of SF will take care of the following for the winning bidder: Internal and external network security vulnerability scan and testing with detailed reporting, consulting and remediation. IT Security Policy Review and compliance audit. Network Server and Workstation turning and network hardening. Physical and remote penetration testing. Wireless and mobility threat assessment. IT Security Readiness Preparation. Caveat: Expires December 31, 2012, but it is available immediately. Value: Live Auction Item
	The Universe is at your fingertips! (Donated by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific) This fun-for-the-family three pack includes: “Cosmic Decoders” – a card game for age 8 to 88 with a cosmic twist; “The Universe At Your Fingertips 2.0” – Astronomy activities and resources; and “Tours of the Night Sky” – with 2 audio cassettes and 2 CDS included. Value: $50
	“Black Holes Explained” (Doanted by Alex Filippenko and Noelle Filippenko) Great Course DVD Set by Alex Filippenko. Includes a T-Shirt. Value: $225

Curtis Sparrer
Grayling Connecting Point
curtis.sparrer@graylingcp.com
Work: 415-442-4034
Cell: 713-240-0485

Karen Randall
SETI Institute
krandall@seti.org
650-960-4537
650-961-6633

Astronauts, Planet Hunters, Artists, Sci-Fi Actors & Writers Meet in Silicon Valley June 22-24

Today the SETI Institute announced Sheldon Reynolds, one of the stars of the band Earth, Wind and Fire, will perform his hit, “Shining Star,” for Jill Tarter’s Gala on Saturday, June 23^rd.  The intense interest in the gala honoring Tarter has caused SETI to announce that gala tickets will only be available online through Tuesday, June 19th until 11:59 PM PDT at seticon.org.    After that, SETIcon II general admission tickets can be purchased in person, beginning June 22^nd at 4PM PDT at the SETIcon venue, the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA  95054.

“SETIcon is like Comic-Con with a Ph.D.,” said Edna DeVore, Deputy CEO of the SETI Institute.  “Combining the best of science and science-fiction, SETIcon will amuse, inform, and provoke the thousand attendees expected to sit in on its panel discussions, fireside chats, and lightning talks.  The subject matter?  The science and the fiction of life beyond Earth. It’s astrobiology at its best!”

Top scientists and creative talent from the world of sci-fi are converging on the Silicon Valley for SETIcon II, a singular public event taking place the weekend of June 22 – 24. The theme is the exploration of the universe and the quest to find life among the planets and the stars, examined from the perspectives of both the sciences and the arts.  The convention is open to the public and the programs will be non-technical, so everyone can participate. The three-day event, organized by the world-renowned SETI Institute, will be held at the Hyatt Santa Clara Hotel, an hour south of San Francisco, and only a few miles from San Jose.

SETIcon II kicks off Friday evening, June 22^nd,  with two space science stars: Mae Jemison and Alan Stern.  Jemison is physician and, as a Shuttle astronaut, was the first African-American woman in space.  She played Lieutenant Palmer on “Star Trek: Next Generation” and now leads the new “100 Year Starship” project, an independent, non-governmental, long-term initiative which will ensure that the capabilities for human interstellar flight exist within the next 100 years. Stern is a planetary scientist, space program executive and leading scientist on the  New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond. He’s also training to fly space research missions with Virgin Galactic and XCOR Aerospace next year. They are followed by a sneak-preview of a film about the last shuttle mission, and a party featuring the band, “The Kepler Mission.”

Saturday and Sunday offer more than 50 SETIcon II presenters who will probe such questions as the existence of ancient oceans on Mars, whether we’ll soon find Earth’s twin around a distant star, and why-oh-why are Hollywood aliens so relentlessly hostile? Here’s what some SETIcon II participants say about this upcoming event:

Alex Hall, Senior Director of the Google X-Prize, says, “Imagination is often uncanny in predicting the future – from tricorders to flying cars, flip phones to augmented vision. I’m excited by what concepts and thoughts will come from SETIcon.”

Geoff Marcy, an astronomer who has discovered more worlds than any person in the entire history of Homo sapiens, will discuss the the latest discoveries of planets orbiting other stars and how we might search for inhabitants.  Marcy says that “SETI is the greatest quest for our amazing species. Closing your eyes, you wonder if it is really true that the Galaxy is teeming with intelligent life? If so, where are they and how do we detect them?”

Mary Roach, whose best-selling book “Packing for Mars” graphically describes the real nitty gritty of space exploration, will talk about her behind-the-scenes journalistic endeavors in the realm of death, sex, and rocketry. “I like gatherings of smart, interesting people,” she notes in reference to SETIcon II.

Andre Bormanis is an American television producer, screenwriter and author of the book Star Trek: Science Logs noted that “I love working at the intersection of art, science, and exploration.  SETIcon is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and information with leading scientists, writers, and artists about one of the most important questions humankind has ever pondered.”

Richard Rhodes, historian of science, said of SETIcon, “For many years I’ve had a deep and abiding interest in science, the only institution that systematically learns from its errors. Discovering that we are not alone would be transformative.” Rhodes will be signing his just –released, 25^th anniversary edition of his Pulitzer-prize winning book, “The Making of the Atomic Bomb.”

The exciting line-up of panelists and presenters includes:

• Frank Drake, the astronomer who made the first modern attempt to listen for extraterrestrial radio signals, and founded the SETI field
• Robert J. Sawyer, award-winning science fiction writer who has penned some of the best novels ever written about alien contact
• Chris Ford – of Pixar Animation Studios, a key leader in modeling and animating both film characters and astronomical concepts.
• Rosaly Lopes, planetary scientist at the Jet Propulsion Lab and one of the foremost experts on volcanoes on other worlds
• Jill Tarter, a leader in the quest to find signals from alien civilizations, and the prototype for Jodie Foster’s character in the film “Contact”
• Alex Filippenko, part of the team that received the 2011 Nobel Prize for discovering that dark energy is accelerating the expansion of the universe
• Robert Picardo, television actor and the Doctor in “Star Trek: Voyager”
• Andrew Fraknoi, astronomer at Foothill College, 2007 California Professor of the Year, and a frequent media guest who can explain astronomical developments with verve and accuracy
• Paul Frommer – the linguist who developed the Na’vi language for James Cameron’s film Avatar, and the Martian language for the film John Carter
• Frank Summers, astrophysicist at the Space Telescope Science Institute who produced IMAX’s Hubble 3D
• David Morrison, NASA astronomer, one of the founders of the science of astrobiology, and the foremost researcher speaking out about the doomsday 2012 myth
• Alex Hall, the senior director of the $30 million Google Lunar X-Prize
• Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and now the director of The Planetary Society
• Pascal Lee, leader of The Mars Project on Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic
• Seth Shostak, a SETI Institute senior astronomer, prolific writer, and host of the “Big Picture Science” radio program
• Debra Fischer, Yale University astronomer, and the first woman in history to discover a planet around another star.  “SETI – I want to be part of it!” says Fischer.
• Lynette Cook – noted artist whose scientifically correct paintings of alien worlds have been used in NASA news releases, and many hundreds of science books and articles.

The complete list of presenters is at the SETIcon II website. It includes members of the Kepler Mission science team, a panel of Mars experts, authors, artists, and many of the key scientists from the SETI Institute.

Special events include the Friday evening launch party with noted speakers and music, the Saturday “lunch with a scientist” featuring Bill Nye, the Saturday evening gala banquet honoring Jill Tarter, and the Sunday keynote brunch with Frank Drake being interviewed by Andrew Fraknoi. Tickets for these special events are available online until 11:59 PM, PDT, Tuesday, June 19 only. General admission tickets are available at the door, beginning on June 22, 4 PM.

The program is rounded out with space exhibits, art, films, and an auction of space-related items, art, wine and science adventures! All proceeds from SETIcon II help support the award-winning scientific and educational work of the nonprofit SETI Institute, and are tax deducitble.

For much more information and to purchase tickets, go to: seticon.org

Accredited journalists wanting to attend SETIcon can sign up for complimentary press registration with Curtis Sparrer at curtis.sparrer@graylingcp.com

About the SETI INSTITUTE

The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.  The SETI Institute is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach. The Institute comprises three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe and the Center for Education and Public Outreach.  Founded in November 1984, the SETI Institute began operations on February 1, 1985. Today it employs over 150 scientists, educators and support staff. For more information, www.seti.org.  650-961-6633.

Paul Frommer

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Alan Stern

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Leonard Mlodinow

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Charles Lindsay 

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