Seth Shostak is an astronomer at the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in Mountain View, California, who places a high priority on communicating science to the public. In addition to his many academic papers, Seth has published hundreds of popular science articles, and not just for Space.com; he makes regular contributions to NBC News MACH, for example. Seth has also co-authored a college textbook on astrobiology and written three popular science books on SETI, including "Confessions of an Alien Hunter" (National Geographic, 2009). In addition, Seth ahosts the SETI Institute's weekly radio show, "Big Picture Science."
Latest articles by Seth Shostak

By Seth Shostak Published
Some people mistakenly confuse a long search with a thorough one, and figure that the lack of a SETI detection indicates that we’re alone in the Galaxy. This, however, is nonsense.
By Seth Shostak Published
A sphere has less surface area than any other form of the same volume.

By Seth Shostak Published
When talk turns to SETI, there’s one question that’s as common as catfish: "We’re not broadcasting to the aliens; so what makes you think they’ll be broadcasting to us?"

By Seth Shostak Published
We can now list eight worlds (including Earth) in a nine-planet solar system that are possible places for life.

By Seth Shostak Published
Many readers don't know that SETI research has been offered up in support of Intelligent Design. Let's take a minute to fix this, shall we?
By Seth Shostak Published

By Seth Shostak Published
A just-released Gallup poll notes that 37% of Americans believe that "houses can be haunted." Is this just harmless superstition? Or does it bode well for the use of reason?

By Seth Shostak Published
Three dozen metal mushrooms have sprouted near the modest village of Hat Creek, and are turning their aluminum eyes skyward.

By Seth Shostak Published
As I sat back to watch Peter Hyams’ new time travel film, "A Sound of Thunder" I expected an amazing experience. Two minutes later, I was gagging on my eight-dollar nachos.
By Seth Shostak Published
This movie is about coming to grips with the immensity of space, and making it psychologically accessible.

By Seth Shostak Published
If one is called upon to name the true pioneers of SETI, there are only three: Frank Drake, Giuseppe Cocconi, and Philip Morrison. Morrison died in his sleep on April 22, at the age of 89.
By Seth Shostak Published
Orphan planets could be more numerous than stars! In our own galaxy alone, there would be hundreds of billions of these wandering worlds.
By Seth Shostak Published
OK, everyone anticipated that Titan was going to be interesting, but few expected it to be weirder than Michael Jackson.
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