How common is life in the Universe? Is there intelligent life beyond our planet?

These are some of the most profound questions humans have ever posed. And for over 50 years, astronomers have been attempting to answer them by conducting the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI). These searches have primarily been focused at radio wavelengths, but in the last decade astronomers are thinking of new ways to search for extraterrestrial communication.

One of those astronomers is the Dunlap Institute’s Prof. Shelley Wright. She leads a team focused on carrying out the first SETI effort designed to detect infrared communication beacons from advanced civilizations.

On October 23rd, join Prof. Wright as she tells the fascinating story of our quest to find extraterrestrial intelligence, and describes the methods and programs we will be using in our search in the future.

Plus, explore the night sky through Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics telescopes following the talk.

For full details, visit the ASX Facebook event page. If you have a question, contact ASX.

This is the latest in the Star Talk series of monthly public talks organized by the Astronomy & Space Exploration Society at the University of Toronto.

Date and time:
October 23, 8pm

Location:
McLennan Physical Laboratories Building
Room 102, 255 Huron Street
St. George Campus, University of Toronto