Is there intelligent life out there in the Universe beyond planet Earth? If so, are they technologically advances, can they hear us, and are they broadcasting in ways that we could possibly detect them?

In the absence of their arrival on Earth, you might think that there's no surefire way to know. But the scientists working hard on SETI, the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence, sure are trying their best. By listening to the Universe at large (and our galaxy in particular), they're hoping to uncover the answer to perhaps the ultimate question: whether there's a civilization out there that humanity might hope to make contact with, and that could perhaps be our ally in uncovering the great mysteries of the Universe.

I'm so pleased to welcome astronomer and senior scientist at the SETI Institute, Seth Shostak, onto this edition of the Starts With A Bang Podcast!