The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, SETI, is a project that enlists the public's help analyzing packets of information received by deep space radio telescopes. Scientists developed a safe, decodable program that can run on a personal computer.
The program simply reads small packets of data sent to and from the personal computer, looking for telltale signals indicating ordered, intelligently produced communications from selected areas of the universe. If an "intelligent" signal is found among the millions of random, naturally produced signals, a trigger is tripped and the main SETI computer takes a closer look. The program has wide support around the world and reveals nothing about the personal computer or the owner who has volunteered a little bit of disc space to join the effort.
Imagine how your child would feel if his or her computer suddenly flashed a screen saying, "Your work has helped to discover extraterrestrial life! This is an official message from SETI@home."
SETI@home is genuine and the search is real. Countless children using school and home computers have been, for years, voluntarily helping in the search for signals of other societies in outer space. Real children at real computers are searching the universe as you read this, and the results may put us in touch with life in space. Is there more wonder to be so easily had?
Check out SETI@home for yourself.