91原创

The search for extraterrestrial life began more than 60 years ago, but 鈥渢here was never sufficient funding or telescope time available to make a dent in the effort,鈥� writes astrophysicist , the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the 91原创, in a piece in the Washington Post. 鈥淭he reason we have not found life elsewhere in the universe is simple: We haven鈥檛 really looked.鈥�

Now, however, a 鈥渘ew era of growth鈥� is dawning.

The rejuvenated search for extraterrestrial intelligence is based on several factors, according to Frank: renewed interest from NASA and privately funded enterprises, the discovery of exoplanets, and the creation of advanced technology and new search methods allowing researchers to detect biosignatures and technosignatures that indicate the presence of life.听

鈥淚f the trend continues, the search for intelligence in the universe may finally escape the giggle-factor that for so long left it associated with bad sci-fi shows and generic UFO nuttiness,鈥� Frank writes.听

Frank鈥檚 research is in the general area of theoretical astrophysics, and in particular, the hydrodynamic and magneto-hydrodynamic evolution of matter ejected from stars. He and his colleagues were recently awarded NASA鈥檚 first-ever research grant to study atmospheric technosignatures. A self-described 鈥渆vangelist of science,鈥� Frank has also been awarded several prestigious honors for his efforts to communicate about science. His most recent book,听听(W.W. Norton, 2018) was awarded the 2019 Phi Beta Kappa Award for Science.

Read the .