The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Last week, the Odyssey spacecraft sent back news that had the inhabitants of earth buzzing: the best evidence yet that water exists on Mars. Beneath the Martian soil is enough frozen water to fill Lake Michigan twice.

In order to harbor life as we understand it, a celestial body would need to have water in abundance. NASA has spent considerable money looking for that extraterrestrial water, and this latest discovery has scientists more excited than ever about the possibility that alien life may indeed be out there.

This hour, the search for extraterrestrial life. Could there be more out there?

Guests:

Chris McKay, planetary scientist with the Space Science Division at NASA Ames

Kelly Beatty, executive editor of Sky and Telescope Magazine

Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with SETI