The question of whether we are alone in the universe has occupied scientists, philosophers, and artists for centuries. In literature and films, aliens and humans have been meeting for a long time. From a scientific perspective, the signs are also becoming clearer: We are not alone. Is it just a matter of time before we make contact? And what would that mean for us and our society? In this book, Andreas Anton and Michael Schetsche present "what-if scenarios" for first contact to a broad audience for the first time. How would our worldview change? What global political consequences should we expect? How would it affect our attitude towards religion? And how can we prepare for first contact? Based on scientific research and extremely engaging, the two sociologists describe how a first contact with aliens could occur, the challenges it would bring, and how the entire world order would change.