Astrobiology Workshop, Macquarie University July 12-13 2001

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A Brief History of SETI

Kala Perkins (University of Sydney)

From the earliest foundations of Western Science, as well as in the philosophy of ancient Eastern Traditions are to be found references to and thoughts about SETI, life in other worlds. Throughout Western European history this is so, including the collection by Boston's Christian community of funds for Bibles to send to the people on the moon! in response to a 19th century spoof around the research of John Herschel,Jr. at the Cape of Good Hope. Most of us tend to think of SETI as a recent occurance technologically based.This talk will explore a bit of the interesting and and colourful history from both East and West.