Extraterrestrial life
What is extraterrestrial life? Are we alone in the Universe? Would aliens look like the little green men we see in science fiction, or more like single-celled organisms that have somehow survived the harshness of space? We're still no closer to answering the questions that we have all asked at some point, but scientists across the world at organisations like NASA and SETI continue to search for evidence of alien species beyond Earth. The truth is out there!
These strange markings are the 'clearest sign' of aliens on Mars, say NASA
Huge news for fans of space and David Bowie alike
Scientists are now seriously asking if humans were seeded by aliens. Here's why
The idea that life on Earth began elsewhere in space has long been controversial, but it's now gaining traction
Alien civilisations may be able to spy on us. Here's how
Radar used to track aeroplanes could also be broadcasting our location to nearby extraterrestrials
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Scientists may have just solved one of space’s biggest mysteries
Why carbon-rich asteroids rarely reach the ground may hold the key to our cosmic origin story.
Here's how aliens will actually make first contact with humanity
The head scientist in the international Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence committee explains how Earth's introduction to extraterrestrials would most likely unfold.
The 4 biggest questions about alien life, answered by an astrobiologist
Scientists are becoming increasingly optimistic that extraterrestrial life is out there. Could we finally be on the brink of finding it?
Is looking for aliens worth the risk? Absolutely, says the UK’s leading astronomer
Even if all we learn is that we’re alone, the search is worth the risk, says Lord Martin Rees, the UK's Astronomer Royal.
Instant Genius Podcast | Life on Mars, with Lewis Dartnell
Lewis Dartnell, an astrobiologist and research scientist at the University of Westminster, explains what we might find in the search for life on Mars.
Why we want to believe in aliens
Whether they’re tiny microbes or little green men, aliens never fail to capture our imagination. Now, 75 years after Roswell, they still have a hold on our collective psyche. Why do we want to believe?
These 4 signs of alien technology could lead us to extraterrestrial life
Pioneering scientists think we should start looking for extraterrestrials in a whole new way: by seeking out alien technology.
Project Galileo: The search for alien tech hiding in our Solar System
The search for alien life is ramping up. But what if, instead of searching for signs of biology, we looked for something more familiar: an extraterrestrial civilisation.
Star Trek Picard: Will first contact ever happen, or are we alone in the Universe?
We’re due to meet the Vulcans, our first alien visitors, in the year 2063, but what are the chances that there’s anybody out there?
Cyanide may have played a key role in the origin of life on Earth, and could help us find ET
Researchers in the US have created a chemical reaction in the lab using cyanide that could have triggered organic life to form on Earth 4 billion years ago.
Does all life need water?
When we look for extra-terrestrial life, we look for planets with liquid water. But are we overlooking places where life could thrive?
There may still be active volcanoes on Mars
Volcanic activity on the Red Planet may produce conditions capable of supporting microbial life, study finds.
Podcast | Prof Avi Loeb on what 'Oumuamua tells us about the problem with modern physics
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, astrophysicist Prof Avi Loeb explains why he thinks 'Oumuamua was of alien origin.
4 mysterious UFO sightings that are still unexplained
Some UFO sightings can be explained away – but we still don't know the truth behind these ones.
Should we be signalling our existence to alien life?
We speak to astrobiologist and extraterrestrial researcher Dr Douglas Vakoch about transmitting messages into the cosmos in the hope of finding intelligent extraterrestrial life.
Inside the December issue with the BBC Science Focus team
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss aliens, parasite-inspired medicine and an exciting new competition.
One week left to enter the BBC Science Focus draw an alien competition
Send your alien design to us by 5 January 2021 to be in with a chance of winning a bundle of books from comedian and science presenter Dara Ó Briain.
The BBC Science Focus draw an alien competition
Comedian, science presenter and author Dara Ó Briain will be choosing his favourite from your alien designs.
Dr Douglas Vakoch | Should we try to contact aliens?
Dr Douglas Vakoch, President of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, talks about how and why we should signal our existence to alien civilisations.
Alien life in our Solar System | 5 best places to look
A fleet of missions is spreading across the Solar System to investigate our neighbours for signs of life. Here’s what they are looking for.
What do aliens look like? Animals on Earth may hold the answer
Zoologist and astrobiologist Dr Arik Kershenbaum reveals what life on Earth could tell us about extraterrestrials.