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In August 2016 the entire world was gripped with the news that a possible signal from an intelligent alien race had been received. Picked up by a Russian radio telescope, its discoverers had no explanation for the signal, which appeared to be artificial, and suggested it could be our first sign of alien life. Alas, it was not to be. The signal, like so many before it, turned out to be interference from Earth, most likely a satellite in orbit. But the event highlighted a key point - there is a huge public clamour for finding extraterrestrial (ET) life, and when it happens it is likely to be the biggest story in human history.
“ DESPITE EVIDENCE SUGGESTING THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF HABITABLE WORLDS OUT THERE, WE STILL HAVEN’T HEARD ANYTHING”