Jill Tarter

Jill Cornell Tarter (born 1944) is an American astronomer known for her leadership in the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Trained in physics and astronomy, she became closely associated with SETI efforts in the United States and later served as director of the Center for SETI Research at the SETI Institute. Tarter helped shape observational strategies and public understanding of SETI, advocating for rigorous methods and long-term sky surveys. Her work and public profile helped bring mainstream attention to the field. She is widely cited as an inspiration for the character Ellie Arroway in Carl Sagan’s novel *Contact* and its film adaptation.