We're looking for life on other planets. Are we ready to find it?
Science journalist Brendan Byrne discusses his new podcast, 'When We Find Them,' which explores the societal and logistical implications of discovering extraterrestrial life. The interview reflects on the historical search for life in space and the potential challenges of communicating such a monumental discovery to the public.
Why it matters
As space exploration technology advances, the question of how humanity would react to contact with extraterrestrial intelligence moves from science fiction to a serious subject of scientific and sociological inquiry.
For centuries, people have looked up at the sky and wondered if there's anyone else out there. For Frank Drake, that question started when he was a little boy, listening to his father talk about other worlds. His daughter, science journalist Nadia Drake, tells the story. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED NPR CONTENT) NADIA DRAKE: He started to wonder, did those places really exist? And if so, could he find them? And could we maybe actually communicate with whomever lived there? ELLIOTT: Frank Drake grew up to be an astronomer and became the first person to go on a modern search for extraterrestrial life. Brendan Byrne covers space for Central Florida Public Media. His new podcast, When We Find Them, follows the search for life on other planets and asks the question we may not be prepared for - what happens if we find it? Brendan Byrne, welcome.
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