A global survey found that more than half of humans believe extra-terrestrial life exists.
In a survey that interviewed 26,492 people across four countries, research and consulting firm Glocalites discovered that 47 percent of humans believe in the "existence of intelligent alien civilizations in the universe."
Sixty one percent believe there is "some form of life on other planets," while 60 percent are not afraid of making alien contact, and even suggest that humans should try communicating with extra-terrestrial life. According to Mirror UK, this is actually in the works at the non-profit Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute.
Only 26 percent of the respondents said they did not believe in alien life forms at all, while 28 percent said they do not know.
"People who believe in the existence of intelligent alien civilizations are not a marginal minority, but constitute a large and distinct segment of unconventional and anti-authoritarian thinkers with a passion for science, technology, culture, politics and the arts," said Glocalites research director Martijn Lampert.
Last February, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) discovered the first known system of seven Earth-size planets around a single star. Through the Spitzer Space Telescope, NASA found that three of these planets are located in the habitable zone, or the area around the parent star where a rocky planet most likely contains liquid water.
According to Thomas Zurbuchen of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, this discovery could be a significant clue in finding environments outside Earth that are conducive to life.
"Answering the question 'are we alone' is a top science priority and finding so many planets like these for the first time in the habitable zone is a remarkable step forward toward that goal," he said.
Lampert said this recent breakthrough is "likely to fuel the interest" of the public in the many mysteries of the universe and the other possible life forms beyond Earth.
