SETI: Now What?

Hello! Is anyone out there? As the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence marks its 50th anniversary, there’s been no contact as yet with alien beings. But SETI researchers maintain that we are not alone. Find out why in a SETI retrospective that looks at the past and future of the search.

We remember the first scientific SETI search… Carl Sagan… how the SETI Institute began… the WOW signal…and the 1993 NASA budget cuts.

We’ll also hear from critics of the search… scientists involved in optical SETI and SETI@home. Plus, international collaborations… and where the search is headed.

Listen to individual segments here:
Part 1 - Are We Alone?
Part 2 - The Birth of SETI
Part 3 - Contact
Part 4 - Abandoned
Part 5 - Ben Zuckerman
Part 6 - SETI@Home
Part 7 - The Future of SETI

SETI: Now What? - Contact

Part 3 of SETI: Now What?, featuring Jill Tarter, Director of the Center for SETI Research, SETI Institute, and Tom Pierson, CEO, SETI Institute, discussing how the SETI Institute began, the book and film Contact, and the "Wow!" Signal.

Happy Birthday SETI Institute!

Twenty five years ago, on November 20, 1984, the SETI Institute was founded. It's history goes much deeper than that, of course. Nearly fifty years ago, Frank Drake conducted the first radio search for extraterrestrial intelligence, known as Project Ozma. Today, the Institute, independent astronomers, home computers, and supporters like you continue to bring SETI closer to the detection of a signal from our celestial neighbors. Hear all about SETI's history, from the Drake equation and the Allen Telescope Array to SETI@home and optical SETI, on this week's show.