# Thoughts on Interplanetary Intercourse and First Contact **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 28, 2020, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-interplanetary-intercourse-and-first-contact/924095 "2020-10-28T08:14:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 12
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-interplanetary-intercourse-and-first-contact/924095/12 "2020-10-28T14:44:10Z")
> _[Illegal Alien](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Alien_(Sawyer_novel))_ by [Robert J. Sawyer](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Sawyer) (1997). Aliens visit Earth and observe a total solar eclipse. Their scientist host speculates that Earth may be the only planet in the entire [universe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe) whose moon covers its sun perfectly (with only [transits](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_transit) or [occultations](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occultation) occurring on other planets). Although it is not explicitly stated in the novel, Sawyer has noted that the eclipse was the historical eclipse of [August 11, 1999](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_11,_1999), which allows the reader to ascertain the time the novel takes place. > **[Solar eclipses in fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipses_in_fiction)** > > This is a list of fictional stories in which solar eclipses feature as an important plot element. Mere passing mentions are not listed. > There is a body of films featuring solar eclipses. Compared to other astronomical events featured in films, such as full moons and asteroid strikes, solar eclipses are less commonly seen. When they have featured in films, they often drive the plot and have a portentous presence. NPR's Glen Weldon said that films use eclipses "to signal to audiences that the no... --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-interplanetary-intercourse-and-first-contact/924095)._