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Aliens

Aliens can refer to everything from little green men in the sci-fi realm to microscopic life forms beyond Earth. For all these possibilities, Live Science has you covered. We break down the latest discoveries that hint at life on other planets and the state of scientific searches for such extraterrestrial life. Sometimes, we may dissect a "little green man" sighting as well.

Related Topics: Planets, Robots, Astronauts, Paranormal

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An artist's impression of the Black Knight satellite. The spacecraft has sparked a long-lived conspiracy theory.

The Black Knight Satellite: A Hodgepodge of Alien Conspiracy Theories

By David Crookes, All About Space magazine

Some think it could be an extraterrestrial spacecraft — but is it?

SETI's Allen Telescope Array

How Long Will It Take to Find Proof of Alien Life?

By Meghan Bartels

How long until we find evidence of life beyond Earth? If a panel of experts is on track with their estimates, it may be sooner than you think.

Artist's illustration of HD 21749c, the first Earth-size planet found by NASA's Transiting Exoplanets Survey Satellite, as well as its sibling, HD 21749b, a warm sub-Neptune-sized world.

NASA Teams Up with $100 Million Breakthrough Listen Project to Search for Intelligent Aliens

By Mike Wall

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reveals new details about Starship Mk, the company's enormous reusable launch system, and talks aliens in Boca Chica, Texas on September 28, 2019.

Elon Musk Doesn't Know Where the Aliens Are (So, Stop Asking)

By Chelsea Gohd

At a recent event in Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirms that, to his knowledge, we haven't yet discovered aliens.

The cratered south pole of the moon can be seen in this image taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Could the Moon Act As a Fishing Net for Extraterrestrial Life?

By Abraham Loeb

The moon's surface could act as a fishing net for extraterrestrial life, preserving the remains of organisms or even technology from beyond our solar system.

planet and moon system

Could E.T. Have Bugged a Space Rock to Listen In on Earthlings?

By Stephanie Pappas

Mysterious objects trapped in Earth's orbit could be a place to look for alien surveillance technology.

Advanced Alien Civilizations May Produce 'Technosignatures' That We Could Find, Experts Say

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

If life evolved the same way elsewhere in the cosmos as it did on our planet, could we find it by the technological traces such civilizations might leave behind?

conceptual drawing of a spaceship on alien world

Scientists Are Building a Real-Life Version of the Starship Enterprise's Life Scanner

By Adam Mann

A novel method relying on biochemistry could provide an unambiguous signal of life on other worlds.

A green planet and moon.

We Could Detect Extraterrestrials Because They May Glow, Scientists Say

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Whole planets may be covered with glowing red, blue and green life-forms.

U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, shown here at a press conference in June 2019, has pledged to share any details about UFOs if he wins the 2020 election.

Bernie Sanders Pledges to Release Any Info About Aliens If He's Elected in 2020

By Elizabeth Howell

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D-VT) says he's prepared to disclose government information about UFOs if he wins in 2020.

Alien spaceship in night sky clouds.

No E.T. Life Yet? Here's Why That's Important.

By Kelsey Johnson

The search for intelligent aliens has time and again come up empty. Perhaps that means they aren't out there.

Planet Earth with sunrise and flare glint in background.

If Aliens Are Flashing Laser Beams at Us, We Now Have a Way to Detect Them

By Tim Childers

Are aliens using super powerful flashlights to get our attention? Astronomers think there's a chance they are.

An illustration of the super-Earth GJ357 orbiting its dwarf sun.

Alien Planet Twice the Size of Earth May Be Able to Support Life

By Passant Rabie

GJ 357d could have water on its surface.

The top-secret military base, Area 51, is located near a route named Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996.

Alien Hunter Explains Why He Won't Be Going to Area 51 to Look for 'Little Green Men'

By Jason Wright

What started as an internet joke has generated a stern military warning after more than a million people "signed up" to "raid" Area 51.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Showed That Aliens Might Be More Than Science Fiction

By Brandon Specktor

The moon may be dead, but the Apollo 11 astronauts still managed to bring extraterrestrial life back to Earth. Astronomer/alien hunter Seth Shostak explains.

Area 51

Nearly 200K People Have Signed Up to Steal Alien Secrets from Area 51 in Late-Summer Raid

By Brandon Specktor

More than 200,000 Facebook users say they're interested in joining a raid on Nevada's infamous Area 51 air base this summer.

Dyson swarm of satellites, indicating an alien civilization.

'What Would You Do If We Found Aliens?' Survey Asks

By Jeanna Bryner

If you find out we are not alone in the universe, how would you respond?

Saturn's moon Enceladus

The 'Lost City' of Atlantis Massif Could Reveal How Life Survives on Dark, Alien Water Worlds

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Simple chemical reactions on hydrothermal vents could power life on dark worlds like Saturn’s world, Enceladus.

UFOs Remain Elusive Despite Decades of Study

By Leonard David

The UFO-investigating group MUFON turns 50 next month. What have we learned over the past five decades?

With its global ocean, unique chemistry and internal heat, Enceladus has become a promising lead in our search for worlds where life could exist.

Life on Icy Alien Worlds May Resemble Creatures Under Submerged Hawaiian Volcano

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Certain conditions that nurture life deep underwater may also be found elsewhere in the solar system.