SETI Institute In the News 2025: October Roundup

Throughout October, the SETI Institute was featured across leading science and media outlets, underscoring its continued leadership in research, innovation, and public engagement. From advising Disney/Pixar on the science behind Elio to contributing expert analysis on Martian dust dynamics, SETI Institute scientists help bring complex discoveries to a global audience. Additional coverage spotlighted the Allen Telescope Array’s pivotal role in uncovering a hidden black hole, Dr. Jill Tarter’s recognition by the California Academy of Sciences, and the SETI Institute’s integration of NVIDIA’s AI technology to accelerate the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Blue Dot: SETI Institute: Its role in the Disney/Pixar animated film Elio and the Fermi Paradox

In an October episode of Blue Dot, host Dave Schlom spotlighted the SETI Institute’s scientific contributions to Disney/Pixar’s film Elio. Dr. Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center, discussed how the SETI Institute advised Pixar to ensure scientific authenticity in the story of a boy mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. The conversation then turned to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. SETI Institute research scientist Dr. Sofia Sheikh joined to unpack the Fermi Paradox and discuss humanity’s ongoing quest to understand why, despite the vastness of the cosmos, we have yet to encounter alien life.

Listen to the full episode by Blue Dot here: Blue Dot: SETI Institute: Its role in the Disney/Pixar animated film Elio and The Fermi Paradox

Dust devils reveal surprising raging winds on Mars

SETI Institute planetary scientist Dr. Lori Fenton provided expert commentary in a CNN feature highlighting new research on powerful dust devils on Mars. The study, based on data from ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, found that Martian winds can reach up to 99 miles per hour – far stronger than previously recorded. Dr. Fenton explained that the movement of sand and dust is a primary driver of both surface modification and climate change on Mars, shaping its evolving landscape over time. She emphasized that understanding these processes is essential for refining climate models and planning future exploration missions.

Read the full story by CNN here: Dust devils reveal surprising raging winds on Mars

Allen Telescope reveals black hole with a voracious appetite

A Space Connect feature highlighted the Allen Telescope Array’s (ATA) crucial role in detecting a rare cosmic phenomenon – a star torn apart by a hidden, off-centre supermassive black hole. The ATA’s sensitive, wide-frequency radio observations revealed that the host galaxy of event AT 2024tvd contains two supermassive black holes, one displaced by about 2,600 light years. SETI Institute researcher Dr. Sofia Sheikh emphasized that the ATA’s ability to rapidly monitor fast-changing radio signals was key to capturing the event’s fleeting evolution. This capability demonstrates the telescope’s growing importance in time-domain astronomy and studies of transient cosmic phenomena.

Read the story by Space Connect here: Allen Telescope reveals black hole with a voracious appetite

California Academy of Sciences Honors SETI Pioneer Jill Tarter with Prestigious Fellows Medal

A Science Magazine feature celebrated Dr. Jill Tarter as the recipient of the California Academy of Sciences’ prestigious Fellows Medal, honoring her pioneering leadership in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The article highlighted Tarter’s visionary role in establishing the SETI Institute, leading initiatives such as Project Phoenix, and spearheading the creation of the Allen Telescope Array – the first observatory dedicated entirely to SETI research. SETI Institute CEO Bill Diamond praised her for inspiring generations of scientists, especially women in STEM, while her ongoing work continues to shape humanity’s quest to understand life beyond Earth.

Read the feature by Science Magazine here: California Academy of Sciences Honors SETI Pioneer Jill Tarter with Prestigious Fellows Medal

SETI Institute Enhances Extraterrestrial Life Search Using NVIDIA IGX Thor Technology

A Science Magazine feature detailed the SETI Institute’s adoption of NVIDIA’s IGX Thor platform at the Allen Telescope Array (ATA), marking a major leap in real-time AI–powered radio astronomy. With 42 antennas scanning the cosmos, the ATA will use IGX Thor’s GPU-accelerated processing to analyze radio signals directly at the source, drastically reducing data turnaround time. SETI Institute engineer Luigi Cruz highlighted the platform’s efficiency for next-generation signal processing, while Dr. Andrew Siemion emphasized its transformative impact on how scientists detect and interpret cosmic signals – ushering in a new era of AI-driven exploration in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Read more about this on Science Magazine: SETI Institute Enhances Extraterrestrial Life Search Using NVIDIA IGX Thor Technology