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Mar 1 2012

How SETI Works

38 min 7 movies discussed
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SETI stands for 'search for extraterrestrial intelligence,' and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in general. In this spaced-out episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin, aims and challenges facing SETI.

AI Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating world of SETI - the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - exploring how scientists are actively listening for signs of alien life in our galaxy. They break down the famous Drake Equation that estimates how many communicating civilizations might exist, discuss the challenges SETI faces (like which radio frequencies to monitor and where in the massive sky to look), and reveal the strict protocols researchers follow if they ever detect a genuine extraterrestrial signal. Along the way, they cover everything from the mysterious "Wow Signal" of 1977 to how you can join the search from your own computer.


Movies Discussed

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977 2h 17m
★ 7.4
"obviously close encounters, they sent messages out — Chuck references the movie when discussing whether SETI sends out signals to aliens." — Chuck
Contact
Contact
1997 2h 30m
★ 7.4
"have you seen the movie Contact? I have. Apparently, it's not too inaccurate — Chuck mentions Contact as an accurate depiction of SETI operations and protocols for detecting extraterrestrial signals." — Chuck
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 1h 55m
★ 7.5
"That was my impersonation of that was E.T. — Josh was doing an impersonation that Chuck thought sounded like Burgess Meredith, but Josh clarified it was supposed to be E.T." — Josh
Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island
1977 1h 40m
★ 6.8
"No, it was Loveboat Fantasy Island. Yeah, yeah, those two are definitely together. — Josh and Chuck recall that The Love Boat and Fantasy Island aired together on the same night." — Josh
Moonlighting
Moonlighting
1985
★ 7.5
"like moonlighting. Was that on Tuesday? I think so. — Josh compares Science Channel's Tuesday night premieres to the TV show Moonlighting's schedule." — Josh
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
1977
★ 6.3
"I think it was moonlighting in 18. Or was it moonlighting in Loveboat? No, it was Loveboat Fantasy Island. — Josh is trying to remember which TV shows aired together on certain nights of the week." — Josh
Through the Wormhole
Through the Wormhole
2010
★ 7.6
"through the wormhole with Morgan Freeman — Josh mentions this as one of the shows premiering on Science Channel's Are We Alone Month." — Josh

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