Bygone Visions of Cosmic Neighbors

Summary by Krater

A historical exploration of past scientific beliefs that various planets and moons in our solar system—specifically Venus, Mars, the Moon, Mercury, and the Sun—were inhabited by alien civilizations. The video concludes that these historical theories and observations, such as Martian canals or lunar cities, were optical illusions, misinterpretations, or fabrications.

From the video

Answers: Did scientists actually believe there was life on Mars, Venus, and the Moon in the past?

• History of astronomy
• Extraterrestrial life in solar system history
• Misinterpretations and optical illusions in space observation
• Historical theories on Venus and Mars inhabitants

What it concludes

• Historical theories and observations of alien life on Venus, Mars, and the Moon were optical illusions, misinterpretations, or fabrications.
• Franz von Gruithuisen proposed that the Ashen Light on Venus was caused by fires lit by inhabitants.
• Percival Lowell concluded that Martian canals were constructed by an intelligence.
• Richard Adams Locke fabricated the 1835 Great Moon Hoax claiming bat-like humanoids lived on the Moon.
• Nikola Tesla believed repeating electrical signals he received in 1899 emanated from Mars.
• John C. Barentine found that the apparent spike in Ashen Light sightings in the 1950s correlates with a strong solar maximum.