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Wide Angle: First Alien Contact

Discovery Space Special Feature

Listening for Life

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Some astronomers are listening for intelligent life off Earth in hopes that one day we will make contact. In this Wide Angle, Discovery Space consults the experts about aliens, and their answers are out-of-this-world. Credit: NASA/JPL

The Milky Way harbors about 200 to 400 billion stars, and astronomers think more planets exist than that... which means our galaxy could be teeming with life.

It's no surprise, then, that the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute is now teaming up with NASA's exoplanet-finding efforts to hunt for alien signals.

In this Wide Angle, we explore the idea of sentient alien life -- the odds of its existence, how it could communicate, if it would want to communicate, what it might look like, and other far-out aspects.

News: Kepler Telescope to Scout for Alien Worlds
Astronomers scanning for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth will soon have a new tool at their disposal -- NASA's Kepler telescope.
Video: Alien Speculation
Will the real E.T. be little green men or little green bacteria? Jorge Ribas explores what our first alien encounter might be like.
Online Interview: What Do Aliens Look Like?
Why would intelligent aliens want to contact us, and what would they look like? SETI astronomer Seth Shostak chats about the possibilities.
Blog: Counting Alien Civilizations
One astronomer thinks 361 intelligent alien civilizations are sprinkled throughout the Milky Way... say what? Blogger "Cosmic" Ray Villard investigates.
My Take: Do Astronomers Believe in Aliens?
Believing that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists is one thing, but believing they've visited Earth is another belief entirely. Astronomer and author Phil Plait explains.
Video: Alien Planet: Is Intelligent Life Out There?
The Discovery Channel's Alien Planet TV series explores the facets of smart alien life with Michio Kaku, Stephen Hawking and other human luminaries.

Discuss the possibility of intelligent alien life at the Space Disco Blog.

Got something to say? E-mail your questions, comments or concerns to discoveryspace@discovery.com.

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Wide Angle: First Alien Contact

Listening for Life

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