Extraterrestrials and U.F.O.s

In December 2018, a bright blue light appeared over New York City. In thousands of Instagram posts and tweets, New Yorkers wondered: Could the light be signs of aliens? Although the lights turned out to be connected to a Queens powerplant, the curiosity they sparked speaks to the fascination we have for signs of life outside of Earth. The articles in this collection relate to the search for extraterrestrial life, detailing both the science that guides us toward it as well as the communities who believe it is already among us. In book reviews, op-eds, and feature reporting, scientists and journalists attempt to make sense of the question: Are we alone? Features such as a glossary and media literacy questions and terms engage readers beyond the text.