For so long as people have regarded up on the evening sky, we have questioned who, or what, is perhaps trying again.
From historical myths about gods descending from the heavens to Twentieth-century UFO sightings and as we speak’s hunt for exoplanets, the query of whether or not we’re alone within the universe has by no means stopped fascinating us. From microbial fossils on Mars to interstellar comets to mysterious alerts in deep area, there’s a timeless curiosity round extraterrestrials.
Journalist Becky Ferreira dives into this wealthy historical past in her new e-book “First Contact: The Story of Our Obsession with Aliens” (Workman Publishing, 2025). In a dialog with Area.com, Ferreira discusses the myths that form our understanding of aliens (her publication dives into this additional) and why actual contact would possibly look nothing like what Hollywood has taught us to anticipate.
Becky Ferreira: My editor for this e-book approached me with the concept, and after I noticed it, I assumed, “Oh aren’t there so many alien books already?” However I ought to have often called a reporter that it is an inexhaustible topic.
For me, it additionally felt like the precise time. There’s a lot occurring within the scientific seek for alien life, but in addition extra openness towards the UFO neighborhood and a posture of transparency from the federal government. I needed the e-book to the touch all these sides — the science, the popular culture, the historical past — and to do it in a brief, visible, and sort of snarky approach that invitations folks in.
First Contact: The Story of Our Obsession with Aliens
A story and visible exploration of humanity’s age-old seek for and fixation with extraterrestrials.
First Contact explores the traditional concept—and epic quest to show—that we’re not alone within the universe. Offered in a closely illustrated cupboard of curiosities format, the e-book explores our fascination with aliens from early historical past to the current day.
Ferreira: I really like this query! Undoubtedly the Messianic alien. And I’m sorry to the Superman followers! I like the brand new “Superman” film, however I’m bored with tales the place a superpowered being comes down to avoid wasting humanity from itself. It’s not simply aliens — it’s a part of this bigger delusion we now have that another person will repair every little thing for us.
That concept goes approach again — it’s mainly a contemporary model of ready for the gods, or the rapture. However I feel it’s harmful as a result of it teaches us to attend for salvation as a substitute of taking motion ourselves.
I’d like to see extra Robin Hood-type tales, the place common folks, not superheroes, truly manage and make change for themselves. We’d like narratives that empower us, not ones that make us depending on alien saviors.
Ferreira: I really like the actually unusual aliens — tales like “Solaris” or “Arrival,” the place it’s a must to utterly rethink the way you understand the universe. These tales really feel extra lifelike to me, as a result of if we do encounter clever life, it most likely gained’t suppose like us in any respect.
I’m fascinated by the concept of aliens who’ve a worldview that’s completely totally different, perhaps even inconceivable for us to totally perceive. Just like the heptapods in “Arrival,” who expertise time all of sudden — that’s such a wild idea.
And actually, I’d like to see extra tales about microbes. What if we discovered a fossilized microbe on Mars that’s 4 billion years outdated? It’s tiny, it’s lifeless, it’s not a civilization — however it could utterly change how we see life in the universe. Popular culture hasn’t actually processed how monumental that sort of discovery could be.
Ferreira: I completed the manuscript in January 2025, and naturally all these fascinating discoveries occurred proper after — new exoplanet biosignatures, attainable biosignatures on Mars.
There’s additionally a piece on the rights of aliens that I want I might have expanded. Like, what are the authorized rights of a microbe on Mars? That sounds foolish, nevertheless it’s truly a very vital query. We’re doing all these astrobiological tasks, and in some unspecified time in the future we’ll need to determine easy methods to deal with what we discover. You may write an entire e-book nearly that.
Ferreira: I feel it’s the good factor ever! I couldn’t embody it due to timing, however I’ve been obsessed. I really like that we’re in an age the place we are able to detect these interstellar objects in any respect. And with the Vera Rubin Observatory energetic I feel by the tip of the last decade, we’ll have an entire census of them.
What’s thrilling about 3I/ATLAS is that it’s like a time capsule — a chunk of one other star system passing by means of ours. Some scientists have even instructed it could possibly be older than the photo voltaic system, which is wild. These are literal guests from different worlds, they usually assist us see past our neighborhood. It’s just like the universe is delivering us souvenirs from deep time.
Ferreira: That our conception of aliens is human. I do know that sounds apparent, nevertheless it’s so vital. Aliens imply various things to totally different folks, however the fascination itself is common. Each tradition has some story about beings from the sky — it’s a part of who we’re.
For folks skeptical of NASA or the federal government, I’d say: these establishments have extraordinarily excessive requirements for what counts as proof. I don’t suppose they’re being secretive — they’re simply cautious. We’re all profoundly obsessive about aliens, however we have to give one another a bit of grace for what meaning.
As a result of if we do ever discover life on the market, it’s going to vary every little thing — spiritually, culturally, scientifically. And we’ll want everybody, skeptics and believers alike, to assist us perceive what meaning for our place within the cosmos.
