Could there be life beyond Earth? Microbial life existing elsewhere in the Universe seems likely, but what about an intelligent civilisation? How are scientists searching for them, and what would it mean for planet Earth if we made contact with an alien species? In this episode, the SETI Institute’s Franck Marchis talks astrobiology, exoplanets and what he really thinks about UFOs.
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The search for extraterrestrial intelligence

The weekly astronomy podcast from the makers of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

Science

Astronomy

Both comet Comet C 2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and 13P Olbers continue to make their way across the night sky. Find out how you can see these for yourself as well as our usual stargazing highlights in this week’s podcast guide, Star Diary, 3 to 9 June 2024.
 
Transcript: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/podcasts/star-diary-3-jun-2024
 
See the Moon’s libration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f_21N3wcX8
 
Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com
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Star Diary: Two comets streak across the sky (3 to 9 June 2024)

Noctilucent, or nightshining clouds, sparkle from the edge of space on the twilight sky. Find out how you can see these for yourself as well as our usual stargazing highlights in this week’s podcast guide, Star Diary, 27 May to 2 June 2024.
 
Transcript: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/podcasts/star-diary-27-may-2024
 
How to photograph a comet: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography/astrophoto-tips/how-to-photograph-a-comet
 
Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com
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Star Diary: Nightshining clouds return to the twilight sky (27 May - 2 June 2024)

Remember the Winchombe meteorite, a sample of which landed in a front garden in Gloucestershire, UK in 2021? Since that time, scientists have been analysing samples of the space rock using high-tech instruments. Dr Luke Daly reveals what we know so far and how meteorites help scientists piece together the story of the Solar System.
 
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The rock that fell to Earth

The Hamburger Galaxy is well placed in the sky this week, while Comet C 2023 A3 Tsuchinchan-ATLAS makes an appearance amongst the stars. Find out how you can see these for yourself as well as our usual stargazing highlights in this week’s podcast guide, Star Diary, 20 to 26 May 2024.
 
Transcript: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/podcasts/star-diary-20-may-2024
  
How Patrick Moore Mapped the Moon: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/patrick-moore-mapping-the-moon
 
Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com
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Star Diary: Have you ever seen a hamburger in the sky? (20 to 26 May 2024)

Catch the Milky Way this month before it disappears into the twilight. Find out how to catch these and more stargazing highlights in this week’s podcast guide, Star Diary, 13 to 19 May 2024.
 
Transcript: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/star-diary-13-may-2024
 
Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com
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The search for extraterrestrial intelligence

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