Let's get serious about aliens

Seven years ago the US congress banished the SETI program from federal funding, claiming that the project was little more than 'a search for little green men'. Since then, however, the SETI program has continued to flourish as an independent body,

Seven years ago the US congress banished the SETI program from federal funding, claiming that the project was little more than 'a search for little green men'. Since then, however, the SETI program has continued to flourish as an independent body, thanks to overwhelming support from the public. Now that support is once again garnering SETI official notice, though this time it's a little more favourable.

Four scientists and a Republican senator appeared before the House Space Science Committee to present the case for a resumption of Federal funding for the search for life in outer space. The scientists cited recent discoveries that make the existance of life outside our solar system ever more likely - water vapor in massive quantities around dying stars, high pressure lifeforms on earth that can live in volcanic vents, and the existance of planets orbiting distant stars. Senator Lamar Smith also added that public interest in SETI should be matched by Federal funding.

Keep watching the skies.