Astronomer Ray Jayawardhana discusses the scientific quest to discover other planets and life in the universe, describing breakthroughs into the early twenty-first century, and examining the tools and technology available to scientists seeking life on other worlds.

Quest for other worlds : the exciting times we live in -- Planets from dust : unraveling the birth of solar systems -- A wobbly start : false starts and death star planets -- Planet bounty : hot Jupiters and other surprises -- Flickers and shadows : more ways to find planets -- Blurring boundaries : neither stars nor planets -- A picture's worth : images of distant worlds -- Alien earths : in search of wet, rocky habitats -- Signs of life : how will we find E.T.?