Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have been noted by observers of the night sky since people first raised their eyes to gaze at the stars. However, the idea that these unidentified objects might be visitors from other planets originated with the age of science and technology that followed World War II (1939–45). The excitement and fear caused by this new technological age led to an exciting and frightening new belief: that there are intelligent beings on other planets who wish to communicate with us. Some view this belief as simple common sense: in all the vastness of the universe, there must be other planets with beings similar to humankind. Others see the belief in life on other planets as superstitious nonsense with no scientific proof to back it up. These skeptics insist that UFOs can always be explained as military aircraft, research balloons, unusual weather phenomena, or simply as hoaxes...