The Planetary Society is a non-profit, public organization established, in 1979, to encourage and support, through education, public information events, and special events, the exploration of the solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life. With a membership of nearly 100,000, from over 100 countries, the Planetary Society is the largest space interest group in the world. It publishes the bimonthly Planetary Report and provides financial support for SETI hardware development.