first contact

first contact (usually uncountable, plural first contacts)

1. (anthropology) The first meeting between people of two previously unknown cultures.
2. (science fiction) The first meeting between humans and extraterrestrials.
   • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: First Contact War Codex entry:

     Humanity’s first contact with an alien race occurred in 2157. At that time, the Alliance allowed survey fleets to activate any dormant mass relays discovered, a practice considered dangerous and irresponsible by Council-aligned races. When a turian patrol discovered a human fleet attempting to activate a relay, they attacked. One human vessel survived, retreating to the colony of Shanxi.

3. (astronomy) The moment, during an eclipse or transit, when the apparent positions of the two bodies first touch.