Wildfires damaging SETI efforts to find alien life

Radio telescopes of the Allen Telescope Array, seen here soon after their construction in 2007, gave SETI's search for intelligent alien life a big boost. Now the array, located in Hat Creek, Calif., has lost the funding it received from the California state government.

This week, operations at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array were disrupted as flames came dangerously close and caused a power outage. A Martinez talked with Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer and Director of the Center for SETI Research, about how the fire impacted his work.

As the wildfires in California continue to burn, firefighters are working to protect homes, businesses, and an observatory that's dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life.

This week, operations at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array were disrupted as flames came dangerously close and caused a power outage. A Martinez talked with Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer and Director of the Center for SETI Research, about how the fire impacted his work.