Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

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The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (or SETI) is both a specific organization and a broader movement. While considered “fringe” at its origin, it has increasingly become a part of the mainstream astronomy research community. Watch the video An Introduction to SETI.
Explore the SETI Website to read about their latest news, the affiliated scientists, or the history of the institute.
Read 30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence to learn about the efforts astronomers are making in the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life and the challenges they face.
The birth of SETI is closely tied to the formulation of the Drake Equation. Watch the video The Drake Equation and then experiment with this interactive version of the Drake Equation to arrive at your own estimate for the number of alien civilizations in our universe.
If there are advanced alien civilizations all over the universe, then it is reasonable to ask “Where are they?” This question has come to be known as the Fermi Paradox. Watch the Fermi Paradox video for several potential solutions to the paradox.
Searching for life in the universe may be a terrible idea. Watch the Kurzgesagt video Why We Should NOT Look For Aliens.