The search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI, is a fascinating enterprise that has captured the imaginations of creative thinkers for generations. For a long time, SETI was not considered mainstream science by most people. Today, though much of the worldwide conversation on SETI remains in the realm of speculation and pseudoscience, scientifically legitimate and credible SETI efforts are indeed going on.

Modern search missions have most commonly employed radio telescopes that target nearby stars similar to the Sun. They act as antennae, listening for communications signals created by alien civilizations that are sent out from their home planets, either accidentally or intentionally.