extraterrestrial adj.
existing or originating outside the earth or its atmosphere
SF Encyclopedia
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1854
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Astronomy no more reveals to us extra-terrestrial moral agents, than Religion reveals to us extra-terrestrial Plans of Divine government.
Of the Plurality of Worlds (ed. 2) 133 -
1854 Maidstone & Kentish Journal 5 Sept. 2/4
Let it be shown that the stars, instead of being substantial bodies, are in fact mere clouds of the thinnest cometic vapour—let all this and more be proved, and not the slightest reason will have been shown why the heavenly bodies may not be the homes of intelligent organisms which Almighty power and wisdom might easily devise. We may therefore dismiss both treatises as in reality proving nothing. And yet the very idea that there may be races of extra-terrestrial beings suggests many and not unprofitable considerations.
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1949
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L. Sprague de Camp
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I know more about extraterrestrial life than most professional xenologists.
Animal-Cracker Plot in Astounding Science Fiction July 69/1 -
1964
Philip K. Dick
The Fnool reached the elevator and without hesitation pressed the button; some extra-terrestrial Fnoolian knowledge guided its hand.
War with Fnools in We Can Remember It Wholesale (1994) 52 -
1967
Philip K. Dick
Was it the aquatic horror shape? The thing with slime and teeth, the extraterrestrial life form?
Faith of our Fathers in We can remember It for you Wholesale (1994) 268 -
1970
Anne McCaffrey
Helva’s civilization was not without busy, do-good associations, exploring possible inhumanities to terrestrial as well as extraterrestrial citizens.
Ship who Sang (1991) i.3 -
1984
David Brin
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You may thank our extraterrestrial friend here for making up my mind for me.
Practice Effect .iii. 13 -
1985
S. P. Somtow
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They would happen to be the first extraterrestrial civilization humans would encounter.
Alien Swordmaster . ii. 11 -
1987
Michael Crichton
He reviewed the published speculations on extraterrestrial life.
Sphere 17 -
1987
Greg Bear
Dr. Drinkwater maintains that there are no intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations.
Forge of God (1988) 12 -
1988
Arthur C. Clarke
It should cut out all Earth-related references—they would certainly number in the millions—and concentrate entirely on extraterrestrial citations.
2061: Odyssey Three 71 -
1992 SFRA Review July–Aug.–Sept. 14
A good example…ties together journeys to ‘another world in space’…and ‘leading exponents today of large-scale efforts to establish contact with extraterrestrial civilizations’.
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1994 Analog Science Fiction & Fact Jan. 8/1
One good approach might be some sort of ‘interstellar homesteading’ concept, whereby nations and companies can claim extraterrestrial land that they actually use.
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2011
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Tanith Lee
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I didn’t know you could have fire like that, black fire—it must be a phenomenon associated with certain types of extraterrestrial objects.
Black Fire in Space is Just a Starry Night (2013) 118
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2020
Hank Green
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It seems unlikely that my best friend becoming an international superstar for being the discoverer and chief human advocate for an extraterrestrial life-form isn’t the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me.
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor 12
Research requirements
antedating 1854
Research History
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2011 cite from Tanith Lee.Simon Koppel submitted an 1854 cite from William Whewell, and another 1854 cite (with a clearer quote) from a review of this book.
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2020 cite from Hank Green.
Last modified 2021-04-20 19:13:47
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