Are We Alone?

The Universe is massive. There are at least one hundred billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. And there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in our Universe. That means there are a lot of worlds we haven't explored. So is it possible that there is life beyond Earth? What is needed for Earth life, and what would alien life look like? How do scientists explore faraway worlds for signs of alien life? Discover the technology and research scientists are using to find answers.

Dr. Bruce Betts is Chief Scientist and LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society, the world's largest space interest group. Dr. Betts is a planetary scientist who earned a B.S. in physics and math and an M.S. in Applied Physics from Stanford and a Ph.D. in Planetary Science with a minor in Geology from Caltech. He spent several years with San Juan Institute/Planetary Science Institute as a Research Scientist, and later Senior Research Scientist. Dr. Betts is the author of Astronomy for Kids: How to Explore Outer Space with Binoculars, a Telescope, or Just Your Eyes! He regularly writes for The Planetary Society member magazine The Planetary Report, and on his blog on planetary.org.