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Do you remember the first time you saw a photo of the Earth taken from space? What emotions did it inspire? A sense of implausible smallness? A suspicion that we are not alone in the universe?
We have always gazed skyward for clues about our place in the universe. Just looking up, however, was not a very promising method of astronomy until a new invention brought heavenly bodies right to our doorstep. The telescope.
Since the day Galileo Galilei first observed the surface of the moon and the rings of Saturn, the telescope has shaped how we regard our place in the universe. Sir Isaac Newton improved Galileo's design, but he could never have imagined just how far the telescope would take us. Today, huge optical telescopes allow astronomers to see into the farthest reaches of space.
The idea that there could be an Earth-like planet elsewhere in the universe is compelling. Astronomers, using the latest technologies, have discovered more than 200 exoplanets, planets outside our own solar system. With the help of space-based optical telescopes and massive earthbound radio telescopes, researchers are scouring the heavens for Earth's sister planets.
Movies have shown us cute, cuddly and friendly extraterrestrials coming to visit the Earth. We've also seen films about less agreeable aliens wreaking havoc on unfortunate astronauts. But will we ever really find proof of other life in the universe? Several programs are devoted to doing just that. Have they found anything? Take a look and see!
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Updated May 16, 2007
