How top scientists think we'll finally hear from aliens - and why it could ... trends now
It seems that with every new piece of information we learn about the vastness of the universe, the likelihood of contacting an intelligent alien lifeform gets smaller.
But there has been a shift in consensus among some top scientists in recent years, who now think it's possible in the next decade.
The optimism largely stems from NASA's upcoming mission to Jupiter's moon in 2030, which is believed to be a habitable ocean world.
But other extraterrestrial hunters think contact will be made by signals traveling through the universe.
Scientists have spent their life's work searching for life beyond out planet, but the leading their is humans will make contact with aliens in the next decade. The idea largely stems from NASA's upcoming mission to Jupiter's moon in 2030 (pictured)
The is because astronomers have been sending transmissions out to space since the 1970s, with the first containing information about the chemicals of life and structure of DNA, along with Earth's location in our solar system.
The SETI project has been on the hunt for alien life since the 1980s and one of the leaders of the group is betting one of the signals will be a winner by 2036.
Intelligent aliens by 2036
Seth Shostak, 80, has been the senior astronomer at the SETI project (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) for almost a quarter of a century and is betting it all that on the human race will hear from intelligent aliens by 2036.
The gamble is based on the steady improvements in telescope technology and computing hardware.
In a recent Reddit AMA, Shostak said: 'The trend of improving hardware - mostly computers -- has proceeded unabated. I'm still betting on a signal by 2036.'
The astronomer has also argued that recent research has determined there could be billions of Earth-like worlds in the universe, suggesting it's highly unlikely that Earth is the only one with life.
'That may be the strongest argument for life in space. Because, if there isn't any, there's something really exceptional about what's happened here on Earth. While that's not ruled out by the data, it does seem a little self-centered,' Shostak said.
Not finding alien life yet has not stopped SETI from preparing for the the moment.
Other exterrestrial hunters foresee communication will be made by signals traveling through the universe. The is because astronomers have been sending transmissions out to space since the 1970s
'There is a document. Briefly, it says, check the signal to make sure it is truly extraterrestrial,' said Shostak.
'Then announce it to the world, and consult internationally before transmitting a reply.'
Seth Shostak has explained what will happen when we hear from aliens
A 'reply' to NASA by 2029
Signals sent by NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) to the Pioneer 10 satellite that launched in 1972 might have already reached aliens - and we could receive a reply before the end of this decade.
The DSN currently consists of three radio dishes in Barstow, California, Madrid and
