TORONTO, November 28, 2001 -- Dr. Seth Shostak, the Public Programs Scientist at California’s Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) will give a talk at York University, Searching for Extraterrestrials, on Friday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m.

Shostak will discuss his research and the work of SETI in searching the universe for intelligent life using massive radio telescopes and sophisticated optical detectors. His hope is to eavesdrop on alien transmissions and show that humankind is not alone. Shostak will also examine the chances for success in discovering other intelligent beings and implications for society and the scientific community.

Shostak has a degree in physics from Princeton University, and a PhD in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology. For much of his career, he conducted radio astronomy research on galaxies. He also teaches at the California Academy of Sciences.

The Institute conducts research in astronomy and the planetary sciences, chemical evolution, the origin of life, biological evolution, and cultural evolution – providing public information and education on these topics.

Presented by York’s Science and Society Program and Bethune College, Shostak’s talk is the second of four seminars in a series, The Quest for Contact: In Search of Extraterrestrial Life, in which guest speakers with an expertise in the history of science, astronomy and theology offer up their insights.

The talk will take place in Vari Hall A, York University, 4700 Keele St.

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For more information, please contact:

Prof. Bernie Lightman	Ken Turriff
Humanities Dept.	Media Relations
York University	York University
416-736-5164	416-736-2100, ext. 22086
lightman@yorku.ca	kturriff@yorku.ca

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