英语听力精选进阶版 13693

 Citizen scientists

Summary

6 March 2012

A major research programme has been launched for 'citizen scientists' to search for signs of intelligent life on other planets. Researchers in California are looking for people to help sort through the vast array¹ of radio signals coming from the skies. There's so much data that professional astronomers² don't have enough computer power - or manpower - to analyse it all. 

Reporter

Peter Bowes

Report

Scientists have been looking for evidence of life beyond earth for decades. They haven't found it yet, but researchers at the SETI Institute, which stands for Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, say the skies are so crowded with radio signals, that the clues may be missed.

The telescopes are focusing on more than 150,000 stars but the scientists say they need help to analyse the information that's coming back to earth. They've created a new public web site to allow volunteers to receive the data on their computers.

There could be signs of life and the vital clues that may eventually help scientists answer that age-old question: Are we alone? Professional astronomers will be working with the volunteers to help them understand what they're seeing. And it could be a citizen scientist who spots the first tantalizing³ signal, proof that life exists beyond the earth.

1 array   

n.展示，排列，盛装；vt.排列，打扮

参考例句：

• He was unable to escape the array of facts.他无法躲避一连串的事实。
• She puts on her finest array.她穿上最漂亮的衣服。

2 astronomers   

n.天文学者，天文学家( astronomer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Astronomers can accurately foretell the date,time,and length of future eclipses. 天文学家能精确地预告未来日食月食的日期、时刻和时长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Astronomers used to ask why only Saturn has rings. 天文学家们过去一直感到奇怪，为什么只有土星有光环。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 tantalizing   

adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This was my first tantalizing glimpse of the islands. 这是我第一眼看见的这些岛屿的动人美景。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We have only vague and tantalizing glimpses of his power. 我们只能隐隐约约地领略他的威力，的确有一种可望不可及的感觉。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史