Astronomer Jill Tarter, 70, has dedicated most of her career to answering one question: Are we alone in the universe? Dr. Tarter is the outgoing director of the Center for SETI Research. Her astronomical work is illustrated in Carl Sagan’s novel Contact. In the film version of Contact, the protagonist Ellie Arroway is played by Jodie Foster. Tarter conversed with the actress for months before and during filming, and Arroway was “largely based” on Tarter’s work. Click here to read an interview with this award-winning scientist.
