How common is life in the Universe? Is there intelligent life beyond the Solar System?

These are some of the largest puzzles to understanding our place in the Universe.

For over 50 years, astronomers have been 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.

In a fascinating and enlightening talk, Prof. Shelley Wright of the Dunlap Institute will give an overview of humanity’s quest to find extraterrestrial intelligence, as well as future methods and programs that are on the horizon.

Prof. Wright’s talk is a Stress-Free Degrees talk for University of Toronto alumni as part of the 2014 U of T Spring Reunion. Visit the U of T Spring Reunion website to register.