Post by swamprat on Sept 11, 2021 15:10:24 GMT
Wildfire threatens a SETI telescope in California
The SETI Institute said late Friday that the Allen Telescope Array - the first radio telescope to be designed specifically for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) - is being threatened by the large Dixie Fire in California. On Friday afternoon, the fire was approximately 12 miles (19 km) south of the telescope. Scientists and engineers normally on-site have been evacuated as a precautionary measure in response to an order from the local sheriff’s office.
The Dixie Fire now covers just short of a million acres, or an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. It ranks as the 2nd-largest fire in California history, just shy of last year’s August Complex fire. it is one of 8 major conflagrations in northern California. InciWeb said early Saturday morning that the Dixie Fire is 59 percent contained.
Read more: earthsky.org/earth/wildfire-threatens-a-seti-telescope-ca-allen-telescope-array/?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=366fc3d044-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-366fc3d044-394368745
