This book is a collection of essays written by the very scientists and engineers who have led, and continue to lead, the scientific quest known as SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Divided into three parts, the first section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Past’, written by the surviving pioneers of this then emerging discipline, reviews the major projects undertaken during the first 50 years of SETI science and the results of that research. In the second section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Present’, the present-day science and technology is discussed in detail, providing the technical background to contemporary SETI instruments, experiments, and analytical techniques, including the processing of the received signals to extract potential alien communications. In the third and final section, ‘The Spirit of SETI Future’, the book looks ahead to the possible directions that SETI will take in the next 50 years, addressing such important topics as interstellar message construction, the risks and assumptions of interstellar communications, when we might make contact, what aliens might look like and what is likely to happen in the aftermath of such a contact.

Every day thousands of scientists search the universe for living extraterrestrials in fantastic settings from the methane seas of Saturn's moon to planets in the Libra constellation. The Search for Extraterrestrial Life explores the cutting edge theories, NASA missions, and deep space exploration in the pursuit of alien microbes and sentient beings.

Astrophysicist Adam Frank guides us through the search for extraterrestrial life and questions we stand ready to answer.

Details the history of the hunt for life on other planets, the technology that is used and the scientific concepts on which the search criteria has been designed.

Looks at SETI's validity as a research programme and examines recent attempts to contact other intelligent life forms. Also assesses theories on the origin of life on Earth, discoveries of former solar planets and proposals for space colonies.