The Science of Star Wars by Mark Brake

The Science of Star Wars

The Scientific Facts Behind the Force, Space Travel, and More!

Mark Brake, Jon Chase

Racehorse · Print & ebook · November 15, 2016

Star Wars takes place in a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but the science used by Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and the rest are rooted in the technology and physics we have here on earth.

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Who it’s for
A playful test of which Star Wars wonders have roots in real-world science.
Themes
Science and plausibility in Star Wars, Space travel and alien life, Physics and technology
Genres
Space Science, Astrophysics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films

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About this book

Star Wars takes place in a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but the science used by Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and the rest are rooted in the technology and physics we have here on earth. What is possible and what is not? Capturing the imagination and hearts of crowds worldwide, Star Wars is a fantastic feat of science fiction and fantasy.

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The Science of Star Wars addresses 50 topics that span the movies’ universe such as battle technology, alien life, space travel, etc. You’ll find fascinating explorations of the physics of Star Wars, its plausibility, and more. The perfect Star Wars gift for fans of the saga, this book addresses many unanswered, burning questions, including: - How long before we get a Star Wars speeder off the ground? - What exactly is the Force? - How could Kylo Ren stop a blaster shot in mid-air? - How could we live on a gas giant like Bespin, or a desert planet like Tatooine? - Nature versus nurture: How does it play out in the making of Jedi? - How much would it cost to build the Death Star? - And much more! We marvel at the variety of creatures and technology and the mystery behind the force. But how much of the Star Wars world is rooted in reality? Could we see some of the extraordinary inventions materialize in our world? This uncomplicated, entertaining read makes it easy to understand how advanced physics concepts, such as wormholes and Einstein’s theory of relativity, apply to the Star Wars universe. The Science of Star Wars explains to non-technical readers how physics and fantasy might merge to allow for the possibility of interstellar travel; communication with foreign but intelligent lifeforms; human-like robots; alien planets fit for human life; weapons and spacecraft such as laser guns, light sabers, and the Millennium Falcon; and Force-like psychokinetic powers. In the 21st Century, we’re on the edge of developing much of the technology from “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away”… These fantasies aren’t as impossible as you might think! Written for every fan of George Lucas’s films, you don’t need to be a Jedi or an astrophysicist at NASA to appreciate all of Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s fun and informative analysis of this classic series in The Science of Star Wars. Prepare your mind to make the jump to light speed and find out about the facts behind one of our favorite modern epics!

Fantasy Meets Physics

A playful test of which Star Wars wonders have roots in real-world science.

Come here for

  • Where Star Wars physics ends and real-world possibility begins
  • Lightsabers, space travel, alien life, and other big questions

Expect

  • Fifty topics spanning battle technology, alien life, and space travel
  • Accessible explanations of wormholes, relativity, and more

Where it sits

Astrophysics33%
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Films31%
Space Science26%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Media Tie-In
  • Humor & Trivia
  • Celebrity & Pop Culture Humor
  • Film History
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Astrophysics
  • Cosmology
  • Space Science
  • Space Opera for Teens
Authors
Mark Brake, Jon Chase
Publisher
Racehorse
Published
November 15, 2016
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Science and plausibility in Star Wars · Space travel and alien life · Physics and technology
Reading lane
Media Tie-In