Hawking: Aliens exist, but contact could be 'too risky'
Professor Stephen Hawking delivers his speech at the release of the 'Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' on January 17, 2007 in London, England. Credit: GETTY IMAGES/Bruno Vincent
LONDON - British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking says aliens are out there, but it could be too dangerous for humans to interact with extraterrestrial life.
Hawking claims in a new documentary that intelligent alien life forms almost certainly exist, but warns that communicating with them could be "too risky."
The 68-year-old scientist says a visit by extraterrestrials to Earth would be like Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas, "which didn't turn out very well for the Native Americans."
He speculates that most extraterrestrial life will be similar to microbes, or small animals - but adds that advanced life forms may be "nomads, looking to conquer and colonize."
The Discovery Channel said yesterday it will broadcast "Stephen Hawking's Universe" in Britain next month.
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