"Close Encounters" refers to experiences where individuals report seeing unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or having interactions with extraterrestrial beings. These encounters are often categorized into different types, with the most common being Close Encounter of the First Kind, which involves sighting a UFO, and Close Encounter of the Third Kind, which includes direct contact with aliens. The term gained popularity from the 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie explores themes of communication between humans and extraterrestrial life, highlighting the fascination and mystery surrounding UFO phenomena and the possibility of life beyond Earth.