Confessions of an Alien Hunter August 10, 2009

Why do we think aliens are out there? Is Earth really being visited? Will aliens really be short, gray, and hairless? What happens if we pick up a signal from another world?

These are just a few of the questions this month's guest, Seth Shostak, tackles regularly in his role as the senior astronomer for the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute. Shostak will also discuss the beginnings of life on earth, how this knowledge impacts what astronomers search for in other galaxies, and the growing consortium of scientific voices who believe "it would be offensively self-centered to imagine that what has happened on Earth has only happened on Earth."

Seth is the author of "Confessions of an Alien Hunter", the popular and humorous look at his lifelong hunt for alien life. This cafe is co-sponsored by Nova ScienceNow & KQED QUEST.

Free.

Official Website: http://www.sciencecafesf.com