NASA Announces Teleconference About SETI

[bystander]

NASA Announces Wednesday Media Teleconference About Search For Extraterrestrial Life
NASA Media Advisory M10-064 27 April 2010

NASA will hold a news media teleconference at 1:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 28, to discuss the status of agency-sponsored astrobiology research, including the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life and the study of how life began on Earth. Topics also will include the quest for evidence of life on Mars, the habitability of other celestial bodies, and future technology research.

This week, NASA and scientists from around the world are gathering at a biennial meeting near Houston to celebrate 50 years of astrobiology research. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. Scientists gathered to share new data and insights, initiate and advance collaborations, plan new projects, and educate the next generation of astrobiologists.

AbSciCon 2010
NASA Astrobiology - 27 April 2010

The Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) 2010 is currently underway in League City, Texas. The conference showcases science talks and events encompassing the wide range of astrobiology research. For those interested in what’s happening at this gathering of astrobiologists from around the world, check out tweets from the lectures and events provided by the Astrobiology Magazine on their twitter feed at http://twitter.com/AstrobiologyMag

[bystander]

Search for Alien Life Set to Take Giant Leap Forward
Space.com - 28 April 2010

Scientists haven't found E.T. just yet, but they may be pinning down the best places and ways to look for alien life during future space missions, NASA researchers said Wednesday.

Experts on the search for extraterrestrial life spoke to reporters from the Astrobiology Science Conference near Houston to celebrate 50 years of astrobiology research.

Scientists there said they are still eager to find life elsewhere in the universe despite the firestorm this week kicked off by famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who suggested that perhaps humans shouldn't be so eager to find aliens since there's a chance they would want to colonize Earth or strip it for resources.

"We're interested and prepared to discover any form of life," said Mary Voytek, astrobiology senior scientist at NASA Headquarters, during the teleconference.

Cornell University planetary scientist Steve Squyres, principal investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover project, said NASA scientists were currently considering a list of 28 future science missions that could help discover signs of extraterrestrial life.