S.P.E.C.T.R.E., The Caltech Science Fiction Club

Why Spectre?

Because a university thoroughly dedicated to science wouldn't be truly complete without a Science Fiction Club!

Where is Spectre?

Spectre is located in the SAC, room 36; the room is on South Master.

Membership

Any person in the Caltech community is entitled to Spectre membership, simply by leaving their name and address in the Club Membership lists, endearingly called "The Infamous Green Book". This notorious Book is green indeed, and it is located on a table in the Club Library. Membership is free, we charge no dues.

Every academic year, the Green Book is reset, to keep it accurate and not inflated.

Club mailing list

The list is spectrum@its. Requests to be added or removed from the list must be sent to spectre@its. Not to the list. Thanks.

Club officers

• Aaron Esser-Kahn, Co-President & 7th God Emperor of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
  • apekay@its
• Lloyd J P Kilford, Co-President and 8th God Emperor of S.P.E.C.T.R.E
  • ljpk@its
• Andrea McColl, Librarian & Keeper of the Sharp Pointy Objects
  • andrea@ugcs
• All of us: spectre@its

Spectre Library

By far, the main activity of our club is taking care of our wondrous SF library. The Club Library is open to all of the Caltech community in its broadest terms, including all students, staff, faculty, spouses, alumni, etc..

Library Catalog

Keyholder Hours

Posters

Our 2004 publicity posters are online.

The artwork for this poster was drawn by James Shirvill, from the UK.

Movies

We have held movies in the past, and will hold movies again. If you've got suggestions, please e-mail spectre@its.

In times of yore we have been happy to present the StarTrek:TNG final episode, sponsored by the GSC and organized by Spectre Member Ernest Prabhakar, on 23 May 1994, and the celebration of the 40th birthday of the monster Godzilla, on 30 October 1994, organized by Mark Meloon.

Book manuscripts

Sometimes the club gets manuscripts from David Brin to review. Earth, Glory Season, Brightness Reef, Infinity's Shore, Heaven's Reach, and The Transparent Society have all been reviewed by some members. We are going to review the manuscripts of his new Foundation Series novel soon: stay tuned...

Brin is a prestigious SF writer... and also a Caltech alum.

Conventions

Some of our members are deep into SF conventions and fandom life. If you are also interesed in this, look to a schedule of SF conventions, or you may read what the World Convention is really about.

Author talks

The club also sometimes invites authors to talk about their literature and ideas. Last such ocasion was David Brin's talk this 12 April 1996, with a large attendance, including Caltech professors, alumni, JPL staff, and students. The talk was mainly on Dr. Brin's ideals and visions of the present and future of the world as shown in his books. His exposition of both luminous and bleak visions made it an enjoyable event, full of his very personal and Caltechnik humor.

I still have a question: Why is the club called S.P.E.C.T.R.E.?

Sorry: we could tell you, but then we would have to kill you...