UK expands search for extraterrestrial intelligence

Astronomers from 11 different institutions in the UK have joined forces to hunt for alien life, setting up a network to coordinate their activity.

The UK SETI Research Network will fund research that considers new ways to find extraterrestrial intelligence. The group will also buy listening time on radio telescopes.

At present, most SETI work is performed in the United States and funded by private donors. One of the coordinators of the UK's new network, Alan Penny, told the BBC that he thought there was important expertise in Britain too. "If we had one part in 200—half a percent of the money that goes into astronomy at the moment—we could make an amazing difference," he said.