An alien invasion is headed our way. While it's the stuff of sci-fi books, movies, TV series and hi-tech video games, what if Earth suddenly faced a real threat from out-of-this-world invaders?
How would the human race survive an encounter with an unknown civilization from another world? Even President Ronald Reagan, speaking at the United Nations in 1988, suggested that the countries of Earth would unite over an impending confrontation with an invading species from outer space.
Watch President Reagan's 'alien threat' moment at the United Nations.
The Science Channel is about to unleash a month-long series of special programs all aimed at trying to answer the provocative question that Mankind has always wondered about: "Are We Alone?"
Beginning March 5, four world premiere episodes will feature scientists hunting for alien life, including how humans may respond to a scenario of ETs coming to Earth.
"One idea is that these aliens have left their home world and they're out looking around," according to Hakeem Oluseyi, professor of physics and space sciences at Florida Institute of Technology.
Oluseyi is featured in the Science Channel's first two episodes of "Are We Alone?" in which an alien invasion and its aftermath are depicted. He told The Huffington Post that an alien civilization that has embarked on a very long journey from their world to ours may do it for one of two reasons.
"One reason is they had to leave their home world. The recent Russian meteorite taught us that in order for a species to continue indefinitely into the future, it must develop the ability to leave its home planet. Planets and stars are temporary physical entities and there's a small window of time for any individual planetary surface to harbor life."
Oluseyi suggests the other reason why ETs may come here is because "they're just like us. What I mean by that is that they are intelligent -- they want to find other life and civilizations -- and that would be worth the cost. I think something like that would be a very well planned event."
Watch this trailer for the Science Channel's 'Are We Alone?'
If contact with an alien species is not that far off -- be they invaders or not -- how does Oluseyi think Earthlings will be affected?
"The only thing I can compare it with is an event like 9-11, where suddenly everything stopped and nothing was ever going to be the same again. At that point, you go through a lot of feelings.
"On the other hand, you have a sense of fear of the unknown where you know tomorrow's different, but it all depends on how those moments unfold."
The outer space visitors will land on the Science Channel March 5 in "Alien Encounters: The Invasion." The following week will offer "Alien Encounters: The Offspring."
Then, on March 19 and 26, "Aliens: The Definitive Guide" will explore what science has rapidly begun to learn about potential life beyond our planet on possible Earth-like exoplanets.
Check your local television listings and the Science Channel for more information.
