SETI is stepping up its quest for intelligent alien life. Founded in Mountain View, California on November 20, 1984, SETI made it its mission to systematically scan the sky for evidence that we are not alone in the universe.
This latest attempt, which will use data from a very large telescope (VLA) in New Mexico, plans to look for signatures of alien technology on other worlds.
Such "technosignals" can include certain combinations of chemicals in the planet's atmosphere or signs of large structures, either on the surface or in orbit.
"Determining whether we are alone in the universe as technologically capable life is one of the most important questions in science," said Dr. Tony Beasley, director of the NRAO Virginia Telescope.
“As the VLA conducts its routine scientific observations, this new system will leverage additional and critical data that we are already collecting.
In addition to this, computerized simulated environments are being developed to help support future searches, and all data collected will be made available to the public.
"Upcoming telescopes in space and on Earth will be able to observe the atmospheres of Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby cool stars, so it is important to understand how best to recognize signs of habitability and life on these planets," said NASA's Victoria Meadows.
"These computer models will help us determine if the observed planet is more or less habitable."