Crossword Genius

Space hero Rogers encounters alien vessel (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bucket

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'vessel' is the definition.
(I know that bucket is a type of vessel)

'space hero rogers encounters alien' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'alien' could be 'et' (extra terrestrial) and 'et' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'buck' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bucket that I've seen before include "Resembling soil" , "Water receptacle" , "Round open water container with handle" , "Pail for liquids" , "Pour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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