Jul 10, 2007 as mentioned, the physics of star trek was a good light read, so ill give it three stars for its interesting concept, but no more, since i had to wade through several chapters of the almost boilerplate physics that accompanies almost any popularlevel physics book. This speed limit only limits impulse speed for normal ship operations, not warp speed. Ethan siegel is a phd astrophysicist, science writer, author, sometimes professor of physics and astronomy, and longtime star trek fan. I became an astronomer in no small part due to the boost i got from shows like it.
The physics of star trek describe infinite speed expressed as warp 10 as an impossibility. Find out how getting from earth to anywhere in the final frontier would be possible if the technology advances. Tampa tribune a fascinating way to learn more about physics. Buy the physics of star trek new ed by krauss, lawrence isbn. Captain jeanluc picard, his ship repaired, must now reassemble his crew. On several occasions episode titles are referenced to, and it could be interesting to pay attention to the matter dealt for that episode while also viewing it.
Who amongst us has not at one time or another wondered while watching star trek, either when it first aired, ro in watching reruns, if all of that magic might someday really come to fruition. Krauss the curvature of spacetime is determined by the distribution of matter and energy in the universe, but this distribution is in turn governed by the curvature of space. The world of star trek is obviously fiction, and even though its technology may be implausible, it still provides a glimpse into what might be and whats impossible. Explore every era of the star trek movies and tv series in detail, featuring everything from vision. May 20, 20 lawrence krauss, in his book the physics of star trek, supposes that to bend light or phaser beams, deflector shields would have to warp spacetime around the starship. Mcintyre strangers from the sky margaret wander bonanno final frontier diane carey spocks world diane duane the lost years j.
Dillard prime directive judith and garfield reevesstevens. The writers call it technobabble and thats an accurate description of what it is. He has written for forbes, scientific american, nasas space place, and many other print and online publications. Therefore, star trek can be forgiven for some of its inaccurate use of scientific data as it is, at the end of the day, just fiction. Two new star trek books explore 50 years of behindthe. Complete pocket books novel list the star trek litverse. One of my pastimes involves attempting to come up with fictional explanations for the science in various science fiction entertainment especially star trek given what we know about physics today. They travel across space using advanced technologies like warp drive propulsion systems and artificial gravity. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
The physics of star trek by lawrence krauss paperback book. Star trek warp drive physics and future space travel oped. Enterpriseb on a mission near tzenkethi space, they explore rejarris. With devices such as warp drives, transporters, inertial dampers, subspace communication, handheld phasers, and so forth star trek always did go beyond any known technology or even science when it needed to for the sake of story.
The other is that physics is about the possibilities in the universe, just as star trek is. The physics of star trek is a 1995 nonfiction book by the theoretical physicist lawrence m. With the departure of both william riker and ships counsellor deannna troi, the captain must replace his two most trusted advisors. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit. Whatis the difference between the holodeck and a hologram. The book takes a look at the common star trek features like warp drive, transporters, replicators, phasers, sensors, subspace communications, and tractor beams. Star trek inspired me when i was a kid, feeding my craving for science and aliens. From newton to hawking, from einstein to feynman, from kirk to picard, krauss leads readers on a voyage to the world of physics as we now know it and as it might one day be. And on the whole, i think it does, which is one reason why it was reasonable to write a book called the physics of star trek. I just started reading the star trek books and would like to know what is the best order for reading so that i can progress chronologically.
If you are interested either in physics or in star trek youre going to love it. Star trek shows us a future where science has helped contribute to the elevation of the human spirit. Boldly go where no one has gone before to discover all things star trek. Essential star trek novels that even nontrekkers should read. Two new star trek books explore 50 years of behindthescenes drama. Jun 22, 2016 the world of star trek is obviously fiction, and even though its technology may be implausible, it still provides a glimpse into what might be and whats impossible. Cleveland plain dealer one of the years best gifts for a sciencefiction fan.
Since subspace signals do not degrade with the square of the distance as do other methods of communication. When captain jonathan archer of the uss enterprise discovers ancient weapons of absolute power scattered across the. The physics of star trek raises some of the most asked questions regarding just what is, and is not possible in this real universe that star trek exists in. Episodes are replete with references to tachyon beams, baryon sweeps, quantum fluctuations and event horizons. A national bestseller, it was serialized in the november 1995 issue of wired, translated into 14 languages, and was the basis of tv productions in the united states and britain. So to reread this book is to be reminded both of how much science has advanced in the past two. The physics of star trek lawrence maxwell krauss snippet view 1995. Written in a style, easily accessible to a general readership, krauss explores several scientific topics and phenomena in the field of physics, often referenced to in imaginary science fiction properties, such as star trek, and how they relate to realworld science. Like the child who learns math when it involves counting his or her own money, i can learn physics more easily when it relates to star trek. Still, it is worth exploring the aspects that this television show got right and wrong, as star trek is perhaps the most faithfultoscience show out there. An electrifying thriller starring captain jeanluc picard set in the star trek.
What is the difference between the holodeck and a hologram. Feb 26, 20 krausss book, the physics of star trek, was released in november of 1995 and sold over 250,000 copies in the u. It is the third book by krauss, who later wrote a followup. Some of us loved it, some of us hated it, some of us said, meh. There are clear signs that life potentially has numerous home sites in the galaxy. Oct 22, 2014 books and reading are at the very foundation of star trek. He followed this book with a sequel, beyond star trek, which applies the same approach to independence day, the xfiles and others. Buy a cheap copy of the physics of star trek book by lawrence m. The physics of star trek was an engaging read and i highly suggest it if you have the slightest interest in physics or star trek. Krauss is an internationally known theoretical physicist and author of 10 popular books, including the international bestseller the physics of star trek and a universe from nothing, which immediately became a new york times bestseller and has now been translated. What exactly warps when you are traveling at warp speed. The book of lists catalogs the most compelling facts about the original series and its spinoffs, as well as its thirteen films, gathered together.
Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Along with the various star trek novel series there have also been dozens of authors who have contributed to the franchise, including but not limited to roddenberry himself, g. Published by pocket books, the novel was first released in trade paperback in may 2009. The nasa kepler spacecraft and other astronomical research programs have discovered more than 3,300 planets, as well as nearly 2,500 candidates that need confirmation of the observations. Many clips from the star trek movies and tv series are used to illustrate the concepts of.
In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition. But their first star trek book is probably the best thing theyve ever done its a genuinely epic look at the prime directive. A tribute to star trek is maintained by john patuto. So with the wealth of data and images collected and compiled by fans on the web, i decided to try put something together myself. So to reread this book is to be reminded both of how much science has advanced in. Sure, we all know star trek is fiction, but warp drives and transporters and holodecks dont seem altogether implausible. Krauss, 9780465002047, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Petersburg times one of the years best gifts for a sciencefiction fan. The novelization of star trek is an adaptation of star trek, written by alan dean foster. Those details are in the last chapter of our frontiers of propulsion science book. The brave and the bold, book in this unforgettable star trek adventure spanning three generations, a series of ancient weapons wreak havoc across the galaxy. Physicist lawrence krauss has written the physics of star trek, a book which postulates what phenomena might make some star trek technology feasible, while detailing the blunders the show has made. In its tv shows, movies, novels, comics, and podcasts, future inhabitants of earth go on quests to the far reaches of the milky way galaxy. A massmarket paperback edition was released in august 2010. We may not yet be able to go boldly where no man or woman has gone before, but at least we can do it in the mind. Krauss to begin with, its foreword is written by stephen hawking who says something we should all. Many of the technologies created for the star trek universe were done so out of simple financial necessitythe transporter was created because the limited budget of the original series in. As the new movie warps into theaters this week, we ask physicist lawrence krauss, author of the physics of star trek, how the scifi franchise keeps. Buy the paperback book the physics of star trek by lawrence m. He is the author of more than 300 scientific publications and ten books.
In this accessible introduction to physics, the author of fear of physics boldly goes where star trek has gone beforeand beyondtaking readers on a voyage to the world of physics as we now know itand as it might be one day. Youre read light novel the physics of star trek part 1 online at. Lawrence m krauss looks at the scientific and technological aspects of the star trek films and television series, focusing on how the physics of the star trek universe compare to the physics of the real universe. May 16, 20 star trek inspired me when i was a kid, feeding my craving for science and aliens. Star trek is one of the most popular science fiction series of all time and loved by people around the world. For example, someone was in here a while ago talking about subspace, mistakenly thinking it described a real concept in physics.
Krauss forward by stephen hawking science fiction like star trek is not only good fun but it also serves a serious purpose, that of expanding the human imagination. He also incorporates that classic star trek spirit of wonder as he explains and speculates. How does the star trek universe stack up against the real universe. George takei, sulu from the original star trek series, salutes a nasa employee with the live long and prosper hand gesture during a 2008 visit to the goddard space flight center in maryland. Petersburg times a fascinating way to learn more about physics. Krauss explains the physics of star trek in a way that people with little familiarity with physics can easily understand. Tampa tribune the physics of star trek is a fun, readable little book by an eminent physicist that boldly goes where few serious scientists have ever gone before. In this episode i talk about star trek books, pick out some of my favorites, and talk about how even a newbie can get into reading them. In the bestselling the physics of star trek, the renowned theoretical physicist lawrence krauss took readers on an entertaining and eyeopening tour of the star trek universe to see how it stacked. The physics of star trek is a fun, readable little book by an eminent physicist that boldly goes where few serious scientists have ever gone before.
This documentary compares and contrasts the scientific principles in star trek with current science. Net is in no way associated with, nor endorsed by, paramount pictures andor viacom. Background information the novel was fosters first work. The original series is a series of science fiction novels based on the popular television show 19661969 and movies created by gene roddenberry. Without it star trek could not be rebooted with different story lines. But, forget about what you thought of the movie for a second. The first star trek novels were direct novelizations of the original star trek episodes by james blish, running from 19671978. Lawrence m krauss introduces physics as it analyzes the science behind star trek, explaining the intricacies of warp speed and showing the difference between a holodeck and a hologram. A must for any serious trekker or for anyone who wants an easytounderstand introductionto the world of physics. A little known fact about the star trek prime universe, mentioned only in the star trek tng technical manual, is that there is a starfleet enforced speed limit.
Astronaut terry virts, left, actor scott bakula and astronaut mike fincke, right, on the set of star trek. May 14, 20 santa clara university professor phil kesten breaks down the physics behind warp drive. I wrote about the physics of star trek partly because people are not only fascinated by science fiction and star trek but theyre less inhibited by it. The physics of star trek, by professor lawrence krauss, is a fun book to read. The technology in star trek has borrowed freely from the scientific world to provide storylines. The physics of star trek physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics. The physics of star trek is a popularscientific work written by scientist lawrence m. Krauss discusses the physics involved in various concepts and objects described in the star trek universe. Krauss, 9780694516155, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The physics of star trek book edition available edition. Since gene roddenberrys original series first aired in 1966, star trek has become a pop culture phenomenon, and one of the largest global properties of all time. Physics of future space travel oped by marc g millis 23 may 20. The physics of star trek npr coverage of the physics of star trek by lawrence m.
The physics of star trek audiobook abridged listen. Krauss boldly goes where star trek has goneand beyond. This book can be very interesting for someone who loves star trek as well as physics. Planets are common in our galaxy, just as the creators of star trek believed. From shakespeare to sherlock holmes the two most popular literary references, and from plays to poetry, star trek underscores the continuing relevance of literature to the human species, especially as it moves among the stars. Krauss is a dedicated trekkie while at the same time holding the ambrose swasey professor of physics, professor of astronomy, and chairman of the physics department at case western reserve university. The physics of star trek the physics of star trek audiobook, by lawrence m. It is the third book by krauss, who later wrote a followup titled beyond star trek in 1997.
An original novel set in the lost era time period between star trek. Is there a chronological reading order for star trek books. About the author 2007 lawrence krauss is director of the origins project at arizona state university. As the new movie warps into theaters this week, we ask physicist lawrence krauss, author of the physics of. Ive been waiting for years for someone to produce the definitive book on the starships of star trek. Krausss venture into the star trek world of antimatter drives, dilithium crystals and tractor beams is entirely serious. Celebrate 50 years of star trek and explore one of the greatest science fiction universes ever created with the star trek book. The selections presented here offer two such attempts. In his book the physics of star trek, author lawrence krauss speculates about the wonders of star trek technology and whether some of it. Now, responding to requests for more as well as to a number of recent exciting discoveries in physics and astronomy, krauss takes a provocative look at how the laws of physics relate to notions from our popular culture not only star trek, but other films, shows, and popular lore from independence day to star wars to the xfiles.