Peter B. Boyce

Relying on electronic journals: Reading patterns of astronomers

Surveys of the members of the American Astronomical Society identify how astronomers use journals and what features and formats they prefer. While every work field is distinct, the patterns of use by astronomers may provide a glimpse of what to expect of journal patterns and use by other scientists. Astronomers, like other scientists, continue to invest a large amount of their time in reading articles and place a high level of importance on journal articles. They use a wide variety of formats and means to get access to materials that are essential to their work in teaching, service, and research. They select access means that are convenient - whether those means be print, electronic, or both. The availability of a mature electronic journals system from their primary professional society has surely influenced their early adoption of e-journals.

How Electronic Journals Are Changing Patterns of Use

SUMMARY Surveys of faculty, students, and scientists in non-university settings over time show that journals and journal articles continue to be a valued resource. Scientists today read from a variety of sources including print journals, electronic journals, e-print servers, and full-text databases; the amounts for each vary with subject discipline and library collection decisions. Scientists expect the library to provide resources and electronic journals that are designed to meet the needs of their specific discipline.

Electronic Publishing of Scientific Journals

Scientific societies were founded to foster communication among their members. As we move into the era of enhanced electronic communication, the research community is seeking to make the exchange of information among scientists faster and better, at reasonable cost. The Internet offers a wide variety of possibilities for accomplishing this goal.

Signal verification in the real world: When is a signal not a signal?

Abstract The confirmed reception of an ETI signal would be very important to the entire Earth and is, consequently, an issue about which emotions run high. The elusive ETI signal is likely to be at the very edge of detectability and its very existence may be doubtful. The procedure for verifying the reality of our first ETI signal is of central importance. Public announcements which later turn out to be false alarms should be avoided. To help inject a healthy skepticism into our work, I propose that the following three principles should be adhered to by all ETI searchers who use real time data: 1. 1. Be skeptical! Verification must involve outside scientific peer review and independent confirmation by a second telescope. 2. 2. Show restraint! Public announcements should be made only after the signal is verified to be of extraterrestrial origin. 3. 3. Plan ahead! A procedure for rapid verification of ETI signals and dissemination of ETI data through normal scientific channels should be established before searching begins.

The first two steps after the signal arrives: Verify and tell the world

Abstract The Discovery and subsequent verification of a suspected ETI signal will have the most profound impact imaginable upon all inhabitants of our planet. The first responsibility of the community involved in SETI is to assure that a suspected ETI signal is real. The second responsibility is to guarantee that the signal is subjected to objective, scientific analysis.

The Electronic Astrophysical Journal Letters project

Abstract The American Astronomical Society has developed a comprehensive system for the electronic dissemination of refereed astronomical research results. Our current focus is the production of an electronic version of the Astrophysical Journal Letters . With the help of a recent National Science Foundation grant, we have developed a system that includes: LATEX-based manuscript preparation, electronic submission, peer review, production, development of a database of SGML-tagged manuscripts, collection of page charges and other fees, and electronic manuscript storage and delivery. Delivery options include World-Wide Web access through HTML browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape, an email gateway, and a stand-alone client accessible through astronomical software packages such as IRAF. Our goal is to increase the access and usefulness of the journal by providing enhanced features such as faster publication, advanced search capabilities, forward and backward referencing, links to underlying data and links to adjunct materials in a variety of media. We have based our journal on open standards and freely available network tools wherever possible.

Electronic publishing at the American Astronomical society

Abstract Electronic communication is changing the way astronomers work and how they communicate. By forming teams of people with a wide variety of expertise, taking small steps, being flexible and soliciting the opinion of users, the American Astronomical Society has been successful in several electronic publishing projects. Experience has shown that electronic publishing entails as much effort as the paper counterpart, but that many benefits accrue to the user. Only by remaining open to new ideas and incorporating new tools as they become available will the true benefits of the connectivity provided by the World Wide Web be brought to the community.

E-journals : The final frontier

Abstract This preconference consisted of two segments, each featuring a panel discussion. The first session focused on existing e-journals and the characteristics that would make an ideal e-journal. Panelists discussed acquisitions issues associated with e-journals; problems with bibliographic identification of e-journals; and e-journals from the users point of view. The second session focused on the e-journal of tomorrow and considered the following issues: commercial forces driving developments in e-journals; innovations in reference linking and XML-enhanced full text; and the evolution of the e-journal from static entity to a fluid format which can be modified by users.

A SETI search technique: Monitor stars to which we have sent signals

After the appropriate light travel time, we should monitor stars which have been illuminated by earths high power radar systems. We know the position of the star, the frequency and the time after which a reply, if sent, could arrive. The problem of computing which stars have been illuminated by the Arecibo planetary radar has been solved by using occultation predictions. It is possible that four stars have been illuminated. Because of planetary motion, radar signals beamed toward any given star have a maximum duration of a few hours, making verification difficult. In order for our searches to be sensitive to an alien civilizations radar signals, immediate verification of any suspicious signal is essential.