{
  "id": 9620884,
  "title": "Jill Tarter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/jill-tarter",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-24T19:46:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/apod/jill-tarter/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jill Tarter served as the Director of the Center for SETI Research at the SETI Institute from 1984 to 2012, before becoming an Emeritus Chair for SETI Research. Although the astronomical community is focused on developing large telescopes and robotic explorers to detect biosignatures in our solar system or distant exoplanet atmospheres, it is still a future endeavor. SETI research conducted today may yield discoveries in the near future, making the search for technosignatures a crucial method of finding extraterrestrial life. However, SETI's role extends beyond simply discovering life beyond Earth; it also serves as a mirror that challenges our perspective and understanding of ourselves from a cosmic viewpoint. Engaging in discussions about SETI, participating in talks, and contributing to the global coordinated search allows us to see ourselves as Earthlings, transcending differences among us. Tarter emphasizes the importance of organizing ourselves globally to protect ourselves from ourselves and highlights the need for collective responsibility in shaping a new reality where we recognize our shared identity as inhabitants of this planet.",
  "summary": "Director: Center for SETI ResearchSETI Institute, 1984 – 2012Emeritus Chair for SETI Research How will humanity first discover ET Life?Best guess: TechnosignaturesWhile the astronomical community is planning for large telescopes, or robotic explorers that could uncover biosignatures within our solar system or in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets, they are still far in the future. […] The post…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}