Jill Tarter Analysis

Battling the government's and politicians' doubts, budgetary downfalls, statistical failures, gender prejudice, and one's own self-doubt set the premise for Ellie Arroway's journey in discovering intelligent life in space in the movie and book, Contact (Scoles). Sarah Scoles, along with three female astronomers, Fischer, Batalha, Turnbull, discuss the person who is the inspiration for this fictional tale: Jill Tarter. Scoles's article focuses on the work of the three female astronomers' work, but mostly about "Jill Tarter—the long-time leader of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence..." (Scoles). Tarter, and fellow SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) scientist, faced skepticism and budget cuts, nevertheless, she never let the champion for SETI science to end in failure.Tarter faced skepticism …show more content…
Faced with doubt from the public, skepticism within the scientific community, government budget cuts, and her own emotions of not finding intelligent life on other planets, Tarter exuded the mindset, "So what? It's my life" (Scoles). Sarah Scoles's style of formal and informal writing makes reading about Jill Tarter exciting. The dialogue between the author and astronomers is intriguing and informational. The characterization between the fictional character Ellie Arroway and real-life scientist Jill Tarter conveys vivid imagery. The tone written in the dialogue explains great respect and thanks for Tarter's life work. An audience of women, people who enjoy science, those who are fascinated by space, to those who enjoy the movie Contact, and even people who believe in Aliens will find the article intriguing and informational. After reading Scoles article about Jill Tarter, readers will walk away understanding the great impact Tarter had on SETI science and the resonating respect she has from not only her colleagues, but from the