A century of exploring the endless final frontier

摘要

People have long speculated on the existence of worlds beyond our Earth. In the 17th century's Paradise Lost, John Milton's angel suggested to Adam that there was not just life on the moon, but on "other Suns, perhaps/With their attendant Moons." Alien realms and the captivating - or terrifying-beings that might live there have become a staple of the imagination, from H.G. Wells' Martian invaders in 1897's The War of the Worlds to the more benevolent strangers drawing smoky rings to communicate with the linguist portrayed by Amy Adams in the 2016 film Arrival.