The SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute says it has received over $200,000 in donations from thousands of people around the world, and now hopes to resume observations in mid-September.

The Allen Telescope Array (ATA), which detects electromagnetic transmission from outer space, went offline in April this year following SETI'S funding announcement. The United States government contributed to early SETI projects, but recent work has been primarily funded by private sources.


The Mountain View-based programme says preparations are now underway to switch the 42 radio telescope dishes near Mount Shasta back on next month. Among the 2557 donors is actor Jodie Foster, who portrayed a SETI scientist in the movie 'Contact'.

Founded in November 1984, the non-profit Institute began operations on February 1, 1985. Today it employs over 150 scientists, educators and support staff.