Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is a scientific endeavor that draws widespread and constant public attention. Media coverage of SETI has been plentiful since scientists first began to talk about it, and SETI scientists pay close [Page 786]attention to what journalists say about their work.

In the 19th century, astronomers first learned to record the spectra of celestial objects and found that they were made of the same stuff as things on Earth, including the elements of which life is made. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution gave further weight to the idea of life as originating as a result of natural processes. In the mid-20th century, radio astronomy was invented. Ever since, SETI scientists have been searching for signals of extraterrestrial technological origin.

The standard SETI ...