SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) is a special ability tool in the Space Stage of Spore.
SETI detecting alien life over highlighted star system.
A device found in all spacecraft, it is given to the player in the first few required missions of the Space Stage, where it is used to locate contactable space races. Upon leaving the star system, the device is used
by hovering the mouse cursor over surrounding star systems (the stars surrounding the ship).
If the device detects another space-faring civilization around that star, the blue radio waves will emit from the star and hear garbled transmissions from it. Flying in closer and entering the star system will reveal another alien race on one or more planets in that system.