VOLUME XVII NUMBER 10
N.C. WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 26, 1978
Is there life in outer space?
by Robin Coller
Do you believe there is
other life in the universe?
Professor Michael Zeilik, i
visiting lecturer on astronomy
says, “yes. . . and no.”
Professor Zeilik is an
instructor of astronomy at the
University of New Mexico. He
earned his undergraduate
degree in Physics at
Princeton University, and
received his M.S. and Ph.D. in
astronomy at Harvard
University. Sponsored by the
North Carolina Center of
Higher Education, Professor
Zeilik was visiting North
Carolina on a three-day series
of lectures.
“Is There Other Life in
the Universe?” was the topic
of Professor Zeilik’s lecture
here on Tuesday, September
12th. Trying to prove that
there is life on other planets,
he ejtplained that as a star
dies, it blows up and 80-90
percent is blowti back into
space. Out of this it is possible
for new stars and planets to be
formed. This is a sort of
“cosmic recycling,” as
Professor Zeilik explained it.
As a result, we are all
“recycled stardust” or
“children of the stars, and we
all have something in us from
the creation of the universe.”
Professor Zeilik reduced
the area of concern from the
entire universe to just our
galaxy explaining, “The
universe is very big and it’s
hard for astronomers to get
around to seeing it all.”
However, even by reducing
the area in question to just our
galaxy it still leaves a large
area to be covered in this
topic.
By theory, planets in an
ecosphere will eventually
have some kind of life on
them. An ecosphere is a zone
in the universe where life can
survive. “It is the natural
process that intelligent life
must be the ultimate in
biological evolution,”
according to Professor Zeilik.
There does seem to be a
problem with communication
between these intelligent
civilizations. Our closest
neighbors would be at least
10,000 light years away. If the
lifespan of that civilization is
short, it would die out before
communication signals could
reach them.
However, if the lifespan is
long and communication is
possible then, “Why haven’t
we been visited?” asked
Professor Zeilik. His theory is
that the other civilizations are
so much farther advanced
than we are that they consider
us to be “primitive.” Perhaps
we are “off-limits” to the
technically advanced
civilizations or the “Great
Galactic Club” as Professor
Zeilik stated it. The UFO’s
that have been spotted are
violating the “off-limit signs
posted in outerspace. Perhaps
they are teeny-boppers jetting
around in the family space
ship.”
In any event, we can come
to one of two conclusions. We
are either alone in the
universe or there are many
other beings but no
communication with them is
possible, because, we are not
far enough advanced.
When asked if he believed
in life on other planets.
Professor Zeilik stated that he
did believe there are many
lower forms of life in our
universe. However, a highly
intelligent, technologically
advanced civilization would
be unlikely due to their short
lifespan.
So the question remains.
What do you believe? For
anyone interested in reading
more about this topic
Professor Zeilik has written a
book entitled. Astronomy, the
Evolving Universe. The
second edition will be out in
January of 1979.
Orientation weekend- a success
by J^an Goolsby
“What’s it all about
Alfie,” could possibly have
been the theme song for most
of the new students during the
recent orientation at North
Carolina Wesleyan College.
From the minute they
arrived, each had a very strict
schedule to follow.
Receptions, lectures, and
tests were the three words
which were most often heard.
But with seriousness set
aside Saturday night, most of
the group boogied the night
away with Skip Carney, a
local Disc Jockey. According
to Carney, it was one of the
liveliest groups he had worked
with.
The only complaints I
heard were it didn’t last long
enough, or do you call this
(referring to the patio) a
dance floor. After much
dancing and a super dance
contest won by Keith Wilson
and. Mary Parks, several
students, the D.J. and an
orientation worker headed to
“the wall” for a midnight
stroll. Surprisingly enough, all
but two or three completed the
walk. If you’ve never walked
“the wall,” y(w should try it
sometime.
To many, the morning
worship service in the James
Haily Memorial Outdoor
Chapel was one of the
highlights of Sunday. Melody
Begley led the music and also
sang “And They’ll Know We
Are Christians By Our Love.”
John Betlyon, the new
Campus Minister spoke
briefly on the topic, “For God
is at Work in You.” After Dr.
Betlyon’s talk, an informal
communion service was
shared.
Later in the evening, a
reception was given in the
home of President and Mrs.
Petteway. Susan Ricther, a
new resident student from
Florida, said she has fallen in
love with the tree-filled
campus and the Petteway’s
home with its natural wood
floors.
Again comments about
lines were made while the
students were waiting to see
their advisors on Monday and
to register on Tuesday. Cathy
Brown complimented the
orientation program by
saying it was well organized
and it looked as if everyone
knew what he was doing.
By Wednesday, most were
ready to relax and to put out of
their minds any thoughts
about long lines. Others by
this point were bored and
couldn’t wait for classes to
start.
When asked how she liked
the weekend events, Monica
St. Jean replied, “There was
enough going on so I didn’t
have time to get homesick.”
Barbara Stage, the new
Student Life Coordinator, said
she was well pleased with the
way the weekend went. One of
the workers for Orientation
weekend said that he really
didn’t realize what he had
gotten into when he signed up
as a volunteer, but now that it
was all over with, he was glad •
that he had participated.
With the record high
enrollment of around 700
students, it is quite apparent
that not only was Orientation
Weekend a success but the
rest of the year looks very
promising.