United Nations Names Astrophysicist As Head Of Office For Outer Space Affairs

For fans of science-fiction, robots play a big part in the end of the world. But, there's always that ever-looming idea that aliens could come down and wreak some havoc on our lovely planet any day now. And while governments all over the planet work pretty hard to squash any UFO-related information, it seems that the United Nations has a different take on the possibility that aliens exist. In fact, they've set up a greeting committee.

Her name is Dr. Mazlan Othman, and she is an astrophysicist that is Malaysian-born, and received her Ph.D. in New Zealand. First and foremost, the position as Head of the Office for Outer Space Affairs is set up to work as an ambassador to extraterrestrials, if they were to ever decide to drop down into our neck of the woods. While many movies showcase the President of the United States taking up that position, the United Nation believes that it should be a more "global" position, and not just centered on one country.

Othman had this to say about the new position. "The continued search for extraterrestrial communication, by several entities, sustains the hope that someday humankind will receive signals from extraterrestrials." She went on to add that when it does happen, the world should have a coordinated response that takes into account all of the sensitivities related to the subject. Furthermore, she points out that "the UN is a ready-made mechanism for such coordination."

But, aliens aren't the only thing that this office will have to worry about. If any organizations find that a speeding asteroid is heading right for the planet, threatening all life, it will be up to Othman and her office to figure out what to do next. Sounds like something right from a Sci-Fi movie, but apparently someone out there thinks it's a necessity.

[via DVICE]