SETI Institute Needs You!

For years now, the SETI Institute has operated an array of radio-telescopes in an ongoing search for signs of technologically advanced civilizations in our galaxy. Sadly, budget constraints now threaten this program. As mentioned on the site:

At the SETI Institute, we’ve made a name for ourselves exploring space. But it’s our community here on Earth — passionate, science-minded and creative — that truly defines us. That’s why we’re launching SETIstars, an initiative to connect us more closely than ever with the constellation of visionaries and supporters that make our work possible.

Priority one is getting the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) back online as soon as possible and once again fixing our gaze on the stars. The ATA is a powerful field of linked radio telescopes that enable countless avenues of astronomical study, chief among them the search for evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations and insight into the nature of our cosmic origins. In the wake of a recent funding shortfall, however, this invaluable tool lies dormant and our vision of the universe around us has gone dark. With your help, we can change that.

The SETI folks need $200,000 to fund operation of the telescope array, and are only one-quarter of the way toward their goal at this point. Times are tough, but if you can afford it all, please consider making a donation. Detection of another intelligent species would be the most profound event of our lifetimes, if not all of human history. Wouldn't you like to be part of that?

Of course, no discussion of SETI would be complete with mentioning the following two items:

First, the movie Contact is hands-down the best science fiction movie out there in terms of the realism of the science shown, the quality of the story, and overall production. The movie is based on the Carl Sagan novel of the same name, and revolves around the events that occur when a SETI researcher detects an extraterrestrial signal. If you haven't seen the movie yet, do yourself a favor and queue it up on Netflix, order a copy from Amazon, borrow it from your local library -- whatever you need to do. If you are a science fiction fan, you need to see this movie!

Secondly, if you haven't read Terry Bisson's short story, They're Made Out of Meat, click this link right now and go read it. The story is a brilliant (and cynical) explanation for why we haven't been contacted by any other extraterrestrial species. The story is short, so take 2 minutes to pop over to Terry's site and give it a read. GeekDad will be here when you get back, honest.