Star Wars may be one of the most exciting and beloved science-fiction series of all time, but it definitely leans more towards the “fiction” side of things. Countless lists and analyses have been written over the years discussing all the scientific accuracies of the Star Wars films, so it comes as no surprise to discover that famed astrophysicist and cosmologist Niel deGrasse Tyson has noticed a number of holes in the most recent film’s scientific logic.
Recently, Tyson took to Twitter and rapidly posted a number of interesting and humorous observations regarding the shaky science of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Of course, even the biggest scientific neophyte would probably notice that there’s something kind of unbelievable about a planet absorbing the energy of an entire sun, but doesn’t make Tyson’s scientific criticisms any less enjoyable to read. Here are some highlights:
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, BB-8, a smooth rolling metal spherical ball, would have skidded uncontrollably on sand.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
Thanks Neil, now we won’t be able to not notice that on repeat viewings. Still, it sounds like Tyson is still a pretty big BB-8 fan:
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, BB-8 is waaaaay cuter than R2D2.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
Totes Neil, totes. But what’s the deal with TIE fighters?
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens the TIE fighters made exactly the same sound in the vacuum of space as in planetary atmospheres
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
Makes sense. But the TIE fighter sounds are so iconic, we don’t want a silly thing like science to get in the way!
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, if you were to suck all of a star’s energy into your planet, your planet would vaporize.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
The First Order really didn’t think that one through.
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, the energy in a Star is enough to destroy ten-thousand planets, not just a few here & there.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
Also, how did those energy beams reach the Republic planets so fast? That seemed just a bit impossible.
Unashamed of inanity, #TheForceAwakens repeats the Millennium Falcon boast of completing the Kessel Run in "under 12 parsecs"
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
You’re right, 14 parsecs is much more believable.
( A Parsec is an obscure unit of distance in Astrophysics, equal to 3.26 Light Years. Neither has anything to do with time. )
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
Cool, thanks Neil!
In @StarWars #TheForceAwakens, the Storm Troopers still run as though they’re carrying a full load of poop in their diapers.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 21, 2015
To be fair, those outfits don’t look like the offer the greatest range of motion. No wonder Finn was in such a hurry to get his off!
(via: Screen Rant)
