Meet The Real-Life Astronomer Who Inspired Jodi Foster's Character In 'Contact'

Are we alone in this vast cosmos? That's the burning question that drove Dr. Eleanor Arroway -- a fictional astronomer in Carl Sagan's book "Contact," who was played by Jodi Foster in the 1997 film adaptation -- on her epic quest for extra-terrestrial life. And it's also motivated the career of Dr. Jill Tarter, the real-life astronomer said to have inspired Arroway's character. (Story continues below image.) Jodi Foster as Dr. Eleanor Arroway in the film "Contact." Tarter...