Mountain View's SETI Resumes Search For Extraterrestrial Life
MOUNTAIN VIEW (KCBS) – The search continues for extraterrestrial life.
With an outpouring of donations from the public, Mountain View-based SETI Institute will resume its pursuit of intelligent life on other planets.
The institute had to shut down its Allen Telescope Array on April 15th when the federal government pulled the plug on funding.
KCBS' Mike Colgan:
However, SETI Institute Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak said the search is back on thanks to public donations totaling more than $200,000.
"I have to say that I am extraordinarily gratified by the response from the public to reopening our antenna so we can scan the skies looking for some cosmic company," he said.
Shostak said the sky is certainly not the limit when it comes to interest in the possibility of intelligent life.
"All you have to do is go to the local multiplex and you'll see that interest. Just about every week there's a new film about aliens," he said.
"People are intrigued with the idea that there might be somebody out there, but not only that, science is showing that there are lots and lots of planets out there that are habitable," he added.
Shostak said the antenna should be up and running within the next two months.
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