London - British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking says aliens are out there, but it could be too dangerous for humans to interact with extraterrestrial life.
Hawking claimed in a new documentary that intelligent alien life forms almost certainly exist, but warned that communicating with them could be "too risky".
The 68-year-old scientist said 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 most extraterrestrial life will be similar to microbes, or small animals - but adds advanced life forms may be "nomads, looking to conquer and colonise".
The Discovery Channel said on Sunday it will broadcast Stephen Hawking's Universe in Britain in May.
Hawking claimed in a new documentary that intelligent alien life forms almost certainly exist, but warned that communicating with them could be "too risky".
The 68-year-old scientist said 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 most extraterrestrial life will be similar to microbes, or small animals - but adds advanced life forms may be "nomads, looking to conquer and colonise".
The Discovery Channel said on Sunday it will broadcast Stephen Hawking's Universe in Britain in May.