The SETI Institute is known for its groundbreaking work in the search for alien life and continues to push the boundaries of space exploration.
This month, we highlight our ongoing efforts at the SETI Institute to explore the possibility of alien life. Our initiatives include helping teachers bring space science into classrooms, researching extreme environments like Antarctica, and analyzing data from the Arecibo Observatory to deepen our understanding of the universe.
As we recently celebrated our 40th anniversary, we reflected on big questions about humanity's future and the technology needed to discover extraterrestrial life. Through exciting collaborations, we continue to drive innovative approaches in the search for life beyond Earth.
Astronomy Activation Ambassadors: A New Era
Funded by NASA and implemented by the SETI Institute, the Astronomy Activation Ambassadors (AAA) aims to enhance teachers’ ability to engage students in astronomy through personal development. The program offers teachers resources and experiences to enrich their astronomy knowledge, including workshops, webinars, and STEM immersion experiences at observatories like Lick and Keck. At these sites, teachers gain hands-on learning and insights from NASA experts. The Astronomy Activation Ambassadors are part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio, which connects experts with community leaders and promotes scientific exploration.
Planes on the Novo runway Left to right: Twin Otter; IL-76TD, Basler BT-67 (remanufactured and modified Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Douglas DC-3)
Dale Anderson’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 14 December 2024: Departing Novo Station
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen and his team concluded another successful field season at Lake Untersee in Antarctica. His research focused on understanding extremophile life in this unique environment, providing valuable insights into the potential for life in other planetary bodies like Enceladus.
Read about Dale’s departure from Novolazarevskaya Station, marking the end of his fieldwork for this season. His research involves studying microbial mats and other life forms thriving in the harsh Antarctic conditions, contributing to our understanding of the limits of life on Earth and beyond.
An illustration of a pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star that sweeps beams of radiation through space like a cosmic lighthouse (Image credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva))
SETI Tracks Distorted Signals From Distant Pulsars With Data From Destroyed Arecibo Observatory
A team led by Sofia Sheikh from the SETI Institute uses data from the now-destroyed Arecibo Observatory. They uncovered new insights into how pulsar signals—radiation beams emitted by rotating neutron stars—become distorted as they travel through space.
An alien demo of Light Field Lab's hologram technology. Image Credit: Light Field Lab
Light Field Lab Launches SolidLight Holographic Imagery Systems
Light Field Lab introduced SolidLight, a new technology that creates super-realistic 3D holograms that seem to float in the air without needing special glasses or headsets. In partnership with the SETI Institute, they showcased a demo featuring an interactive holographic alien.
“The SETI Institute has partnered with Light Field Lab to enable an incredibly immersive experience and launch the company’s extraordinary SolidLight technologies. These are next-level, next-generation displays that are clearly the precursor to Star Trek’s Holodeck,” said Bill Diamond, president and CEO of the SETI Institute.
An alien demo of Light Field Lab's hologram technology. Image Credit: Light Field Lab
Light Field Lab Launches SolidLight Holographic Imagery Systems
Light Field Lab introduced SolidLight, a new technology that creates super-realistic 3D holograms that seem to float in the air without needing special glasses or headsets. In partnership with the SETI Institute, they showcased a demo featuring an interactive holographic alien.
“The SETI Institute has partnered with Light Field Lab to enable an incredibly immersive experience and launch the company’s extraordinary SolidLight technologies. These are next-level, next-generation displays that are clearly the precursor to Star Trek’s Holodeck,” said Bill Diamond, president and CEO of the SETI Institute.
ETH Zurich and the SETI Institute announced a strategic scientific partnership today. The US-based research organization will provide start-up funding for a new assistant professorship and associated research activities at ETH Zurich.
#Press Releases
#SETI Institute
#Partnerships
#ETH Zurich
#Bill Diamond
During the second quarter of 2026, the SETI Institute was especially active and made strong progress in research, education, outreach, and public engagement. Our scientists published over 80 peer-reviewed papers in fields such as SETI, astrobiology, planetary science, exoplanets, and heliophysics.
#Activity Reports
#Carl Sagan Center
#Outreach
#Education
#AIR
#Community
#Research
#SETI Institute
#SETI Institute in the News
#SETI Institute
#Community
#Peter Jenniskens
#Lucian Walkowicz
#Chelsea Haramia
#Pascal Lee
#Bill Diamond
#Seth Shostak
#Meteorites
#SETI
#UAPs
#NASA Missions and Observatories
#Discovery and Futures Lab
#Mars
Throughout June 2026, SETI Institute scientists, affiliates, and collaborators contributed to discussions spanning interstellar visitors, planetary science, technosignature searches, animal cognition, and the scientific process guiding the search for life beyond Earth.
#SETI Institute in the News
#SETI Institute
#Community
#Eduardo Bendek
#Optical SETI
#SETI
#3I/ATLAS
#ATA
#Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids
#Solar System
#Franck Marchis
#Ariel Graykowski
#Jill Tarter
#Vishal Gajjar
#Radio Astronomy
#Bill Diamond
#Lori Marino
ETH Zurich and the SETI Institute announced a strategic scientific partnership today. The US-based research organization will provide start-up funding for a new assistant professorship and associated research activities at ETH Zurich.
#Press Releases
#SETI Institute
#Partnerships
#ETH Zurich
#Bill Diamond
During the second quarter of 2026, the SETI Institute was especially active and made strong progress in research, education, outreach, and public engagement. Our scientists published over 80 peer-reviewed papers in fields such as SETI, astrobiology, planetary science, exoplanets, and heliophysics.
#Activity Reports
#Carl Sagan Center
#Outreach
#Education
#AIR
#Community
#Research
#SETI Institute
#SETI Institute in the News
#SETI Institute
#Community
#Peter Jenniskens
#Lucian Walkowicz
#Chelsea Haramia
#Pascal Lee
#Bill Diamond
#Seth Shostak
#Meteorites
#SETI
#UAPs
#NASA Missions and Observatories
#Discovery and Futures Lab
#Mars
Throughout June 2026, SETI Institute scientists, affiliates, and collaborators contributed to discussions spanning interstellar visitors, planetary science, technosignature searches, animal cognition, and the scientific process guiding the search for life beyond Earth.
#SETI Institute in the News
#SETI Institute
#Community
#Eduardo Bendek
#Optical SETI
#SETI
#3I/ATLAS
#ATA
#Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids
#Solar System
#Franck Marchis
#Ariel Graykowski
#Jill Tarter
#Vishal Gajjar
#Radio Astronomy
#Bill Diamond
#Lori Marino
SkyMapper and the SETI Institute are connecting educators, students and the public to live astronomical observations through a distributed astronomical network.
#SkyMapper
#SETI
#Citizen Science
#Astronomy
What happens if life beyond Earth is discovered? The Discovery and Futures Lab at the SETI Institute fosters novel and anticipatory research at the intersection of science, society, our planet, and the search for life beyond Earth.
#Discovery and Futures Lab
SkyMapper and the SETI Institute are connecting educators, students and the public to live astronomical observations through a distributed astronomical network.
What happens if life beyond Earth is discovered? The Discovery and Futures Lab at the SETI Institute fosters novel and anticipatory research at the intersection of science, society, our planet, and the search for life beyond Earth.
Scientists are getting closer in their search for life beyond earth. But with limited federal funding for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, supporters are the reason cutting-edge scientists can keep their eyes on the sky.
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