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- Aliens, Zest Fest, & Progress?...
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Top of Mind
WOW…
From 1963 to 1998, THE Big Ear Observatory was a “Kraus-type” (after its inventor, John D. Kraus) radio telescope located on the grounds of the Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. But what we’re REALLY here to talk about is the WOW! Signal and, of course, the aliens…
Big Ear was used to search for extraterrestrial radio signals (which is nerd for “let’s find these aliens”) and on August 15, 1977, astronomer Jerry Ehman picked up an unusually intense radio signal. The signal was so unique that it prompted astronomer Jerry Ehman to draw a red circle around it and scribble the word ‘Wow!’ to highlight his amazement.
“Without thinking, I wrote ‘Wow!’” Ehman said
“It was the most significant thing we had seen.”
Details of the Signal:
Duration: The signal lasted for 72 seconds, the longest time the Big Ear telescope could observe it before the Earth's rotation moved it out of view.
Frequency: The signal was detected at a frequency of 1420.456 MHz, which is close to the hydrogen line (1420 MHz), a frequency often used in SETI because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it's considered a universal constant that an advanced civilization might use for communication.
Intensity: The signal was 30 times stronger than the background noise, making it a significant anomaly.
The Mystery: Despite multiple attempts to locate the signal again, the "Wow! signal" has never been observed again, making it one of the most intriguing events in the history of SETI. The signal’s source remains unidentified, and there’s been much debate about whether it was a sign of extraterrestrial intelligence or a natural or human-made phenomenon.
SO what does this all reeeeeally mean?
The "Wow!" signal remains one of the strongest candidates for potential extraterrestrial communication; though no definitive conclusions have been drawn, it continues to fascinate scientists and enthusiasts alike.
This signal is a significant part of SETI history and has influenced how we think about the possibility of detecting extraterrestrial life. Despite the absence of any follow-up detection, the Wow! Signal stands as a symbol of the tantalizing possibility that we are not alone in the universe.
And I’m not saying they are hiding anything, but they did tear it down in 1998 and turn the land into a golf course, which we all know is really just a grass parking lot…
Scarlet Letter Trivia
Question: What percentage of Downtown Columbus is currently a parking lot?
A. 27%
B. 19%
C. 69%
D. 31%
In the News
Another Icon Bites the Dust: The Bier Stube's Last Call…
It’s a familiar story in Columbus: A beloved bar falls victim to the wrecking ball, making way for yet another high-rise. This time, it’s The Bier Stube’s turn. After nearly 60 years of serving up crispies, diets, and campus memories, this iconic dive bar is set to close its doors for good by the end of September.
Harbor Bay Ventures is set to transform the Bier Stube at 1479 N. High St. into a 13-story, timber-framed apartment complex—the second-tallest of its kind in the U.S. This ambitious project, which will also take over the 14-0 Express and Yau’s Chinese Bistro (R.I.P best wings in the city), is being touted as Columbus’ first mass-timber building. With 183 units, it nearly doubles the area’s standard 72-foot height limit to a towering 157.5 feet. And in a move that screams “Who needs parking?”, the developers have opted to forgo parking altogether. But what toll does this take on the community, the landscape, and even the students? The term "student housing" seems to be the magic word, conveniently tossed around to greenlight these towering developments.
Let’s be clear—Columbus is no stranger to development. We’ve seen historic buildings replaced by modern monstrosities before. But the closure of The Bier Stube stings. This wasn’t just any bar; it was a living piece of the city’s history, a place where generations of Ohio State students made memories. Now, it’s being swapped out for what? A block O hot tub that will fit 6 of the proposed 452 students to party in.
Craig Kempton, who has owned and operated The Bier Stube for nearly three decades, broke the news to loyal patrons with a simple, heartfelt message: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save the Stube.” As the final weekend of operations approaches, the local community is bracing for another goodbye, another reminder that in this city, nostalgia doesn’t pay the rent.
So, as we raise one last glass to The Bier Stube, we’re left wondering—what kind of Columbus do we want to see in the future? One with character and history? Or one where every block looks the same, dotted with high-rises and chain stores? The choice, as they say, is ours. But for The Bier Stube, it’s game over.
R.I.P.
ZEST FEST 2024!
Saturday, September 14th!
Our Friends over at @noblecut are throwing a festival celebrating their flagship Limoncello and the other cellos in the Noble Cut family. The festival will include an outdoor party, cocktails, tours, food, and fun!
“What better way to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall than Cello Fest! We're teaming up with our neighbors and friends at Heart State Brewing to host an outdoor party with Noble Cut cocktails, craft beer, food trucks, vendors and more. We'll be giving mini tours of the distillery and have tastings in the bottle shop too!”
There will be raffles and chances to win cool swag as we raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Tickets are $15 ($5 from each ticket benefiting the National MS Society)
Trivia Answer
C. 27% - I often hate on our lack of public transit and our excessive amount of parking lots BUT we compare reasonably well to some of our neighbors…
Detroit, MI: 30%
Downtown Cleveland: 26%
Signing Off
