What would it mean to discover that we are not alone?
Imagine future headlines: a signal, a flash, an anomaly. But instead of global unity, the internet erupts in chaos. Deepfakes, AI-generated 'explanations,' and viral speculation drown out the truth before scientists can verify the data. This isn't just science fiction; it’s the reality of the information age. If we finally discover that we are not alone, the hardest part won't be finding the evidence; it will be convincing the world it's real.
For decades, Steven Spielberg has invited audiences to imagine encounters with intelligence beyond Earth. His new film, Disclosure Day, returns to that profound possibility: a moment when evidence of something beyond our world can no longer be ignored.
How would we recognize credible evidence of life or intelligence beyond Earth, and how could we be certain? While we cannot yet speak to the specific conclusions of the film, its core inquiry reflects the ongoing mission of researchers at the SETI Institute. These scientists grapple daily with the challenge of identifying and authenticating potential evidence of extraterrestrial life or intelligence.
The Era of Big Sky Data
The answer begins with verifiable data.
We are entering an extraordinary era in the study of the cosmos. The James Webb Space Telescope is examining distant worlds and exoplanet atmospheres with unprecedented sensitivity. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is beginning a decade-long survey of the changing sky, producing about 10 terabytes of data every day and approximately 30 petabytes of raw images over its lifetime.
This enormous growth in observations changes what is possible. More telescopes, sensors, wavelengths, and people looking at the sky give us more opportunities to notice the unusual. But volume alone is not enough. Data must be preserved, compared, independently verified, and made accessible to scientists who can test competing explanations.
That is particularly important when the claim could transform humanity’s understanding of itself.
The SETI Institute’s mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and to share that knowledge with the world. This search includes radio signals, optical laser flashes, planetary environments, atmospheric chemistry, and other possible signs of technology or biology. It is not based on a single telescope or one dramatic observation. It depends on a growing scientific ecosystem capable of detecting something unexpected and then asking others to verify it.
The recently updated international SETI post-detection protocols reinforce this principle. A potential discovery must be carefully authenticated by independent organizations and different instruments before it is announced as credible evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. In an age of social media, deepfakes, artificial intelligence, and instantaneous speculation, transparent and verifiable data have never been more important.
This is precisely why we’ve launched SkyMapper and formed a strategic collaboration with the SETI Institute. We built this distributed network of telescopes and intelligent all-sky cameras not just to watch the sky, but to establish a "chain of custody" for data. In an era where a single video or image can be easily manipulated or dismissed, we cannot rely on a single source or institution to validate an anomaly.
Building a System of Trust
SkyMapper turns every participant into a witness. By deploying a global network of independent, separated instruments, we create a system of trust. We are moving away from old limitations toward a new standard of verification:
- The Single-Source Problem: In an age of deepfakes, a single video or institution can be easily manipulated or dismissed.
- The SkyMapper Solution: Multiple independent stations recording the same event allow us to reject interference and build a reliable public record.
No single generation, nation, or institution should own the discovery of extraterrestrial life. While such a revelation could redefine our common future and how we perceive our planet, it must not emerge through unsupported claims, anonymous footage, or mere rumors.
Disclosure needs data.
For its success, SETI needs us. Be more than passive observers of the cosmos. Support the foundational research at the SETI Institute or contribute to the SkyMapper network of all-sky cameras and be an active participant in the search for our place in the universe.
This mission belongs to everyone. If you feel called to contribute, we invite you to join the SETI Stars community or help us grow the SkyMapper network. By supporting these efforts, you aren't just funding a project; you are helping build a global foundation of data that will safeguard the truth of our future discoveries.
For those of you in the Bay Area, we hope to see you on June 12 in Mountain View for a special opening-night screening of 'Disclosure Day.' It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet team members in person and join us for a live discussion as we pull back the curtain on the real science behind the story. You can reserve your seat here.
After all, when humanity finally encounters the extraordinary, we must be ready with extraordinary evidence.
SZ3 2026
