Visual Celebrations of The Unexplained

Those intrigued by unexplained phenomena will appreciate two new books. Both also contain interesting pictures.

First Contact: The Story of Our Obsession With Aliens by Becky Ferreira includes the construction of the ELT. This stands for Extremely Large Telescope, which is set to begin observations in 2028. 

A date has yet to be announced for the Mars Sample Return. There's an illustration, though, of the MSR spacecraft leaving Mars.

The moon, of course, is not forgotten. According to a Japanese folk tale and 1891 woodblock print, a princess considered it to be her real home. 

Other art--by adults and children who witnessed ''something''--appears in Atlas of Unidentified-Flying-Objects, written by Andy McGrillen. The most memorable focuses on a pointy eared alien outside a sombrero-shaped craft. 

For some reason, the book contains a lot of landscape photos. A welcome exception showcases UFOs from 1977. The lights resemble fireworks, cylinders, a serpent, and appropriately enough, a saucer. 

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