The SETI Institute and ETH Zurich have agreed on a strategic partnership to investigate the origin and prevalence of life in the universe. A new assistant professorship at ETH Zurich will focus on biosignatures, habitability, and the co-evolution of life and the environment.
Researchers studied 72 young Sun-like stars and their protoplanetary disks, finding that different types of winds are more important at different stages in a planetary system's early life. The study shows that gas giants like Jupiter must assemble their massive atmospheres quickly before winds carry that raw material away.
Researchers identified seven distinct phases in the journey from space rock to meteorite, with melting and fragmentation controlling mass loss and slowing down. The study used 75 meteorite falls and found that melting causes most of the rock's mass loss, with rocks breaking apart at specific altitudes.
A team at the SETI Institute is developing a new method to identify resources in space using Raman spectroscopy, aiming to answer key questions such as what is there, how much is there, and where can it be found. This approach could potentially reduce costs and risks associated with space exploration and resource extraction.
A New Jersey meteorite contains high concentrations of salt and briny fluids that can create molecules vital for life on Earth. The discovery sheds light on the chemical origins of life on our planet.
The IAA SETI Committee has updated the post-detection protocols for evaluating and revealing extraterrestrial intelligence, emphasizing rigorous verification and global risk communication. The revised Declaration of Principles acknowledges the expanded search efforts and modern challenges, including protections for researchers and reco...
Scientists at the SETI Institute searched for technological signals from 3I/ATLAS, a natural comet-like object from another star system. Despite extensive scanning, no technosignatures were detected, setting new constraints on the power of any radio transmitter on or near 3I/ATLAS.
The SETI Institute has awarded $1 million in STRIDE grants to support cutting-edge research in astrobiology, exoplanet science, and public engagement. The awards will fund projects that push the boundaries of life detection, planetary climate modeling, and innovative education initiatives.
The SETI Institute recognizes Dr. Matthew Tiscareno's outstanding achievements in astrobiology, technology, and exploration of life in the universe. His research has advanced understanding of solar system orbital dynamics and planetary rings.
The SETI Institute's new initiative explores the global scientific, philosophical, and societal implications of discovering life beyond Earth, connecting experts in various fields. The Discovery and Futures Lab aims to anticipate and guide humanity's responses to this discovery.
Dr. Lori Marino receives the 2026 Drake Award for her groundbreaking work on intelligence evolution, recognizing her contributions to understanding complex life forms on Earth and beyond. Her research focuses on brain evolution, cognition, and self-awareness in various species.
A new study by the SETI Institute suggests that stellar activity and plasma turbulence near a transmitting planet can broaden an otherwise ultra-narrow signal, spreading its power across more frequencies. This makes it more difficult to detect in traditional narrowband searches.
A new study suggests that Saturn's largest moon, Titan, formed from a merger of two earlier moons, and this event may also be linked to the formation of Saturn's rings. The research proposes that Titan is the product of a collision between an extra moon and itself, resulting in the creation of fragments near Titan's orbit.
Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliant Global, joins the SETI Institute Board to leverage resources and AI capabilities in the search for extraterrestrial life. He brings a lifelong passion for space science, STEM education, and a commitment to rekindling curiosity about the universe.
The SETI Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Tarter Award, recognizing individuals who significantly advance humanity's search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence. The award comes with a $100,000 prize and honors innovative projects across science, technology, education, art, philosophy, law, and ethics.
American artist Adrien Segal has been awarded the Planetary Futures Public Art Residency at the SETI Institute for a two-year term. The residency aims to foster dialogue and inspire collective action through the connection of artistic practice with scientific discovery, particularly in climate research.
A SETI Institute team monitored pulsar PSR J0332+5434 for 10 months to study its radio signal twinkling as it passes through gas between the star and Earth. The team observed slow, significant changes in the twinkling pattern over time, which can help distinguish human-made radio signals from signals from other star systems.
The SETI Institute offers a two-year postdoctoral fellowship program to pioneering researchers, focusing on the origins of life and intelligence. Fellows will receive mentorship, access to advanced facilities, and a stipend of $85,000.
Dr. Christina Richey joins the SETI Institute with extensive experience in research management, strategic collaboration, and science leadership. She will focus on creating sustainable partnerships and funding opportunities to support the institute's long-term growth and mission.
The SETI Institute is incorporating the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform to enhance its real-time search for signals from space at the Allen Telescope Array. This collaboration brings cutting-edge AI technology into radio astronomy for the first time, dramatically reducing the time to recognize unusual or promising data.
Jill Tarter was awarded the Fellows Medal by the California Academy of Sciences for her pioneering work in SETI and radio astronomy. She led groundbreaking projects, including Project Phoenix, and co-founded the SETI Institute, establishing it as a field of research.
The Perseverance rover discovered chemical reactions involving minerals, water, and possibly organic material on ancient Mars. These findings suggest that conditions were favorable for life on the planet billions of years ago.
Isabel Angelo will refine and expand machine learning-driven pipelines for detecting exoplanets, focusing on subtle or unconventional candidates. Her work aims to uncover rare or unexpected planetary systems using cutting-edge AI and astrophysical modeling.
A new iron sulfate mineral has been identified on Mars, providing insight into the planet's early history. The discovery suggests that geothermal heat played a crucial role in shaping the Martian surface, with minerals forming under conditions of high temperature and oxygen presence.
The SETI Institute has awarded a new education grant to Girl Guides South Africa, providing professional development for staff and volunteers in space science. The project aims to empower girls and women through STEM education and career awareness.
The SETI Institute and SpaceX have launched a collaboration to reduce satellite interference on radio astronomy observations at the Allen Telescope Array. This effort aims to preserve the integrity of radio astronomy while accommodating expanding global connectivity. By implementing new coordination techniques, the initiative successfu...
Dr. Karen I. Perez joins the SETI Institute as the inaugural recipient of the William J. Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship, developing real-time analysis pipelines for detecting signals from intelligent life. Her research will advance radio astronomy and contribute to shaping the next generation of SETI instrumentation.
Researchers found that the Galactic Center's star-forming regions struggle to form high-mass stars, unlike typical star-forming regions, due to extreme conditions caused by the black hole. The study suggests these regions effectively produce just one generation of stars and lack sufficient material for continued formation.
A team of scientists from the SETI Institute and UC Davis documented humpback whales producing large bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans. This behavior may offer insights into nonhuman intelligence and aid in the search for extraterrestrial life.
The SETI Institute and Maldives Space Research Organisation team up to combine cutting-edge scientific research with rich cultural heritage of Maldivian celestial navigation. They will work together on research projects, policy guidance, and resource sharing, aiming to inspire the next generation of Maldivian space scientists.
Dr. Joseph Twicken receives the award for his work on data processing pipelines for NASA's Kepler and TESS missions, contributing to the discovery of nearly 3,000 exoplanets. The SETI Institute also honors Sophie Clark with its Research Experience for Undergraduates Award of Excellence.
The SETI Institute has launched the ARISE Lab program, providing hands-on training for community college instructors and students in astronomy, digital signal processing, and radio science. The program combines real-time radio telescope data with experiential learning techniques to spark curiosity and build skills.
Researchers at SETI Institute reveal why comets and their meteoroid streams weave in and out of Earth's orbit, finding that it's due to the gravitational boost or braking from the moving Sun. The study shows how this phenomenon causes the stream to disperse over time.
A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers suggests that if scientists examine 40–80 planets and find no signs of life, they can confidently conclude that fewer than 10–20% of similar planets harbor life. This finding would enable scientists to put a meaningful upper limit on the prevalence of life in the universe.
The SETI Institute has recognized Dr. David Deamer and Dr. John Baross for their groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of life's origins. Deamer's work focuses on membranes and RNA formation, while Baross explores hydrothermal vents and extremophiles, shedding light on the cradle of life.
A team of researchers describes the circumstances of a rare 2019 meteorite fall near Aguas Zarcas in northern Costa Rica, challenging the notion that mudball meteorites are weak. The recovered 27-kilogram meteorite, nicknamed 'Aguas Zarcas,' avoided collisions in space and did not exhibit cracks that weaken many meteorites.
Researchers have developed a geologic map of the asteroid belt, identifying source regions for different types of meteorites. The study, published by the SETI Institute, uses data from over 75 laboratory-classified meteorites with tracked impact orbits.
The SETI Institute's Beyond Silos STEAM residency supports educators in developing more inclusive, interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Dominica Mediati is the recipient of this residency, which aims to break down disciplinary silos and foster innovation in K-12 students.
The SETI Institute has awarded its first Frank Drake Postdoctoral Fellowship to Dr. Anastasia Yanchilina, who will focus on distinguishing biosignatures from false positives across space and time. Her research aims to refine biosignature detection techniques using lab experiments and studying Earth's extreme environments.
The SETI Institute invites researchers to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship focused on developing advanced AI tools for exoplanet discovery. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Vishal Gajjar and his team to uncover subtle signals in massive datasets using machine learning and anomaly-detection techniques.
Researchers found that radio signals, such as planetary radar emissions, are the most detectable technosignatures, visible from up to 12,000 light-years away. Atmospheric technosignatures like nitrogen dioxide emissions can be detected from 5.7 light-years away with the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory.
The SETI Institute's 2024 Forward Award recipients, Gabriella Rizzo and Pritvik Sinhadc, conducted innovative research on extremophiles in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and gravitational wave signals. Their work has the potential to reveal new life forms and technosignatures, pushing humanity's understanding of the universe and our place...
A study published in The Astrophysical Journal reveals that pulsar signals change as they move through the interstellar medium, highlighting a need for updates to current ISM density models. The research found that models incorporating galactic structures tend to better fit the data, but predictions of newly discovered pulsars were worse.
The SETI Institute offers the 2025 William J. Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship to support early-career scientists in developing novel instrumentation for astronomy and astrophysics research. Fellows will receive mentorship, access to advanced facilities, and a stipend of $85,000 per year.
The SETI Institute has welcomed five new members to its Science Advisory Board, expanding the board's expertise in ethics, space communication, and extraterrestrial materials. The new members bring diverse scientific backgrounds and perspectives to the board, which advises the organization on research priorities and funding.
Dr. Jill Tarter, a pioneering SETI researcher, will receive the inaugural Tarter Award for her contributions to the search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence. The award honors her tireless efforts and inspires future generations of scientists, particularly women.
Researchers used the upgraded Allen Telescope Array to scan a wide range of frequencies for narrowband signals that could indicate alien technology. Although no extraterrestrial signals were detected, the team refined their methods and gained valuable data for future searches.
The SETI Institute conducted a groundbreaking study searching for signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations in distant galaxies. The research used the Murchison Widefield Array to cover about 2,800 galaxies in one observation, providing insights that will help focus future searches.
Researchers studied 47 young meteor showers to understand where comets formed in the early solar system. They found that long-period comets often crumbled into gentle accretion conditions, while Jupiter-family comets broke apart under fragmentation, producing diverse asteroid populations.
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed intricate patterns of shells, holes, and filaments in the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A, providing insights into molecular formation and destruction processes. CO molecules are critical indicators of cooling and chemical processes that lead to dust condensation.