The Compass: The legend of Area 51, what we know from decades of UFO government investigations, and a new top suspect in the hunt for alien life.

This week, we explore alien worlds.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE RIGHT ANSWER? VIEW ONLINE

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

THE COMPASS

This week, we explore alien worlds. Find out why the legend of Area 51 still fascinates us, learn what we know from decades of UFO government investigations, and discover the planet that just became a top suspect in the hunt for alien life. Plus, top stories you may have missed.

COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH BY JENNIFER EMERLING The legend of Area 51—and why it still fascinates us Secluded in the Nevada desert, the military base has long been associated with alien and UFO sightings. Here's the real history behind the conspiracy theories. HOPING TO CATCH A GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX What we know from decades of UFO government investigations Mysterious flying objects. Claims of crashed alien spacecrafts. The U.S. has spent decades inquiring into the unknown—here's what they've learned. OUR ONGOING FASCINATION

GOOD READS

1. Did humpbacks try to save a seal from orcas? See for yourself. 2. Meet the experimental archaeologist who tested out Stone-Age living on the Thames. 3. Why this company sent ancient human fossils into space. 4. Inside the race to kill an invasive menace—before it gets to a town near you.

COURTESY OF SETI INSITUTE Why alien hunters have spent 60 years finding new solutions for the Drake Equation Astronomer Frank Drake came up with the famous formula as he prepared for a last-minute meeting in 1961. It still guides the search for intelligent life beyond Earth. A FRAMEWORK FOR SCIENTISTS

A SURVEY OF THE MILKY WAY GALAXY FOUND APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY WORLDS WITH SIMILAR CONDITIONS TO EARTH? A. 30 THOUSAND B. 3 MILLION C. 300 MILLION CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

ILLUSTRATION BY NASA, CSA, ESA, J. OLMSTED (STSCI), SCIENCE: N. MADHUSUDHAN (CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY) In the hunt for alien life, this planet just became a top suspect The mixture of gasses measured in exoplanet K2-18 b suggests it may have a global ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere—and astronomers even spotted a tantalizing, though unconfirmed, sign of life. A WHOLE NEW CLASS OF WORLD

PHOTOGRAPH BY RAMIN RAHIMIAN, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX Where earthbound travelers can search for extraterrestrial life Here’s where believers and skeptics alike can see U.S. scientists at work. ARE WE ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE?

What archaeology is telling us about the real Jesus + HERE ARE THE FACTS Who wrote the Dead Sea scrolls? Science may have the answer. + SEE THE THEORIES Biblical stories of Jesus' birth reveal intriguing clues about his times + DIVINE ACCOUNTS

WHAT WILL WE EXPLORE NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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