Earthlings have wondered about life in the stars for millennia. That question still inspires science and imagination. From examining planetary atmospheres for biosignatures to searching radio frequencies for intelligent communications, SETI spans many disciplines.
New discoveries of thousands of exoplanets, some habitable, have boosted our optimism. Technology in telescopes and data analysis is making the hunt more effective and powerful. Finding microbial or sentient life in the cosmos grows more likely as we explore. A revelation like this would overhaul our knowledge of the cosmos and threaten our place in it. Every new piece of evidence advances our hunt for extraterrestrial life, which remains a thrilling adventure. Are we alone?