Plans are nearly complete for the first LaserSETI installation at the Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) in Sonoma County, California. LaserSETI Principal Investigator Eliot Gillum has built a collaborative and productive relationship between the SETI Institute and RFO, after locating the site based on complex astronomical suitability criteria. The SETI Institute collaborated with RFO founding board member Dr. Gordon Spear, RFO Board President Dave Kensiski, and RFO Executive Director Chris Cable; the final logistics are being worked out for the placement of LaserSETI’s first observatory at RFO’s idyllic facility.

Dr. Spear is also an Emeritus Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Sonoma State University and is "extremely excited" that RFO will be partnering with the SETI Institute. He added that LaserSETI is significant to the scientific research being performed at RFO since their primary mission focuses on education. RFO hosts numerous events, field trips, and a steady stream of drop-ins from the public, adding up to more than 8,000 visitors each year. Visitors will be able to take advantage of this location to visit LaserSETI. RFO has been a 100% volunteer organization since its founding in 2000, until recently hiring its first executive director.

Andrew Fraknoi, SETI Institute Trustee and Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at Foothill College, provided the initial introduction to Dr. Spear. Spear became immediately intrigued by LaserSETI’s novel approach to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. “We’re thrilled to be able to make a difference for SETI in this way,” stated Dr. Spear. “There were some challenges gaining the buy-in of other board members.” He described that even with an educated group of astronomy advocates, the idea of SETI was not immediately well understood. But after sharing information about the SETI Institute and the LaserSETI proposal, the RFO board members quickly realized that SETI is serious science and LaserSETI is cutting edge. Learning about the SETI Institute’s expansive public outreach and education programs “really sealed the deal."

The SETI Institute looks forward to working closely with RFO to create a LaserSETI exhibit within RFO’s museum and classroom. Discussions are underway to develop collaborative educational programming as well.

The SETI Institute is working to identify a second observatory site for LaserSETI and hopes to announce news soon.