SETI: Astronomy as a Contact Sport

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Jill Tarter, Chair Emeritus for SETI Research at SETI Institute and Former Director of the Center for SETI Research. Astronomer Jill Tarter has spent the majority of her professional life driving forward the science and technology of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, rigorously scanning the sky for the signs of some signal sent to us from outer space. This wide-ranging conversation explores the history of the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence, what the present state is of our quest for signals from other planets, what those signals might look like and how we can interpret them, and how SETI research has a surprisingly positive effect on other technologies. 


This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Searching for “What Is”, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

I. Introducing SETI - The benefits of not growing up 
II. A Sense of Scale - Getting the big picture
III. Detection - Examining the details
IV. Suddenly Relevant - Scientific serendipity and holding up a mirror
V. Reaching Out - Globally



About Ideas Roadshow Conversations:


This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert through a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks.