first contact
Initial extraterrestrial encounter
First contact is the initial encounter between two groups previously unaware of each other, typically humans meeting an alien civilization for the first time.
Science fiction explores first contact scenarios extensively: The novel imagines humanity's first contact with an interstellar species.
The term also applies to historical encounters between isolated peoples: European first contact with indigenous Australians.
In customer service or sales, first contact refers to the initial interaction with a potential client.
Message-conveying cue
- transmissionSending of information
- messageTransmitted communication
- SETIQuest for cosmic signals
- radio waveElectromagnetic broadcast frequency
Arecibo · golden record · Voyager · decoding · cipher · linguistics · translation · pictogram
Being from outer space
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- alienNon-native being
- close encounterBrief, unexpected proximity
arrival · Independence Day · War of the Worlds · District 9 · E.T. · Star Trek · warp drive · hyperspace
Gathering for discussion
- greetingExpression of welcome
- approachWay of handling something
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- arrivalAct of reaching destination
moment · historic · unprecedented · unknown · threshold · discovery · revelation · awe
New Mexico city, UFO-famous
- Area 51Classified Nevada test facility
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
- close encounterBrief, unexpected proximity
- flying saucerDisc-shaped alien vehicle
unidentified · skywatch · anomaly · radar · abduction · crop circles · Men in Black · government secrecy
Originating in a region
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- native peoplesOriginal inhabitants of land
- missionariesReligious workers abroad
cultural exchange · conquest · encounter · ethnography · Cortés · Amazon · sentinel · cultural shock
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
delegation · summit · emissary · intermediary · liaison · peace offering · accord · diplomatic mission
signal
Message-conveying cue
- transmissionSending of information
- messageTransmitted communication
- SETIQuest for cosmic signals
radio wave · Arecibo · golden record · Voyager · decoding · cipher · linguistics · translation · pictogram · mathematics
extraterrestrial
Being from outer space
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- alienNon-native being
close encounter · arrival · Independence Day · War of the Worlds · District 9 · E.T. · Star Trek · warp drive · hyperspace · federation
meeting
Gathering for discussion
- greetingExpression of welcome
- approachWay of handling something
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
arrival · moment · historic · unprecedented · unknown · threshold · discovery · revelation · awe · fear
Roswell
New Mexico city, UFO-famous
- Area 51Classified Nevada test facility
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
- close encounterBrief, unexpected proximity
flying saucer · unidentified · skywatch · anomaly · radar · abduction · crop circles · Men in Black · government secrecy · cover-up
indigenous
Originating in a region
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- native peoplesOriginal inhabitants of land
missionaries · cultural exchange · conquest · encounter · ethnography · Cortés · Amazon · sentinel · cultural shock · disease
ambassador
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- treatyBinding pact between nations
protocol · delegation · summit · emissary · intermediary · liaison · peace offering · accord · diplomatic mission · olive branch
- sci-fi conceptstime travel, space exploration, faster-than-light, generation ships, multiverse
- eclipseseclipse, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, total eclipse, partial eclipse
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- speculative fictionsci-fi, science fiction, dystopia, fantasy, futurism
- classic sci-fiAsimov, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Clarke, Ray Bradbury
- encountersencounter, meeting, chance encounter, run-in, close encounter
first contactreunion
Gathering after separation
reconnection · reacquaintance · re-encounter · established relationship · homecoming
first contactlast goodbye
Parting before permanent separation
estrangement · going dark · no contact · final farewell · severance