The concept of “close encounters” typically refers to encounters with extraterrestrial beings or UFOs, as popularized by the 1977 film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” directed by Steven Spielberg.
These encounters are classified into different types based on the proximity and interaction level with the unidentified objects or beings or aliens. Here are the generally accepted definitions within the extraterrestrial research community.

First Kind Close Encounter Definition
A sighting of a UFO at close range, typically within 500 feet, without any interaction with the environment or witnesses.
Second Kind Close Encounter Definition
A UFO event that involves a physical effect on the environment, such as the presence of electromagnetic interference, heat or light, scorched or broken vegetation, or the imprinting of the ground.
Third Kind Close Encounter Definition
In this type of encounter, there is the sighting of an actual being or an animated creature associated with the UFO. This could include the observation of aliens, whether inside or outside the craft.
Fourth Kind Close Encounter Definition
The fourth kind of encounter involves an individual being taken aboard a UFO, often associated with claims of alien abductions or experiences of missing time.
Fifth Kind Close Encounter Definition
This term was popularized by Steven M. Greer and refers to a direct communication or interaction with extraterrestrial beings. This might involve telepathy, meditation, or any form of direct communication with alien entities.
Read These Facts
It’s important to note that these classifications are primarily used within the context of popular culture and UFO research, and they do not represent any scientifically accepted standard for categorizing encounters with extraterrestrial beings or UFOs.