The flying saucer controversy -- Visions of the gods: saucer sightings in past ages -- Bright lights and bogies: the modern saucer era is born -- Saving humanity from its darker self: the contactees -- Interrupted journeys: the saucer abduction phenomenon -- The conspiracy theory: is the government hiding the truth? -- From the mundane to the bizarre: explanations for flying saucers -- They will keep watching the skies.