Renowned SETI Institute astronomer discusses reality of E.T.

The senior astronomer in charge of exploring alien life for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in California, will give a lecture at Grand Valley.

Seth Shostak’s lecture, titled “When Will We Find the Extraterrestrials?” is scheduled for Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium of the DeVos Center on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Shostak hosts SETI’s weekly radio program, “Are We Alone?” as well as a monthly program called, “Skeptical Sunday,” which focuses on debunking pseudo-science and U.F.O claims. He has received the Klumpke-Roberts Award from the Astronomical Society in recognition of his outstanding achievements to public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.

The SETI Institute, founded in 1984, employs more than 150 scientists, educators and support staff and is dedicated to scientific research, education and outreach. The institute aims to explore, understand an explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.

Shostak’s visit is sponsored by Grand Valley’s Physics Department and the GVSU Society of Physics Students.

For more information, contact Karen Gipson, associate professor and chair of Grand Valley’s Physics Department at (616) 331-2319 or GVSU News and Information Services at (616) 331-2221.