SETI Institute

Have you ever looked at the stars and wondered if humans are alone in the universe?

The SETI Institute is a non-profit dedicated to the exploration and understanding of life on Earth and beyond. Our researchers are working to understand humanity's beginnings and our place among the stars.

The SETI Institute runs the Allen Telescope Array, the first observatory built from the ground up to search for signals from technologically advanced societies in nearby star systems. Since federal funding for SETI research like this is limited, our donors have carried the torch for humanity in searcing the universe for other intelligent species.

But life comes in all sizes, and just because there aren't other intelligent species in our solar system, doesn't mean there isn't microbial life on Mars or under the ice of Europa. Our scientists study extreme environments and the microbes that inhabit them so we are better prepared to search for life on planetary bodies throughout the galaxy. For example, the SETI Institute has a long history of supporting Mars exploration, including the search for biosignatures and the understanding of the planet's past climate.

And research is only a part of what we do. We are also committed to educating the next generation of SETI scientists and public programming on science topics critical to all of humanity.

Where will you be when we find life beyond Earth? Join the search today.