star wars – Esoteric news

The Physics of Ramming an Imperial Star Destroyer, Explained

The Physics of Ramming an Imperial Star Destroyer, Explained

This epic scene from Rogue One provides an awesome opportunity to do some physics. The post The Physics of Ramming an Imperial Star Destroyer, Explained appeared first on WIRED.

In Which We Literally Calculate the Power of the Force

In Which We Literally Calculate the Power of the Force

Darth Vader uses the Force to move a rebel soldier. What kind of physics power output does this motion require? The post In Which We Literally Calculate the Power of the Force appeared first on WIRED.

February 20, 2017

Flying at Light Speed Is Pretty Much Impossible—Unless You’re Han Solo

Flying at Light Speed Is Pretty Much Impossible—Unless You’re Han Solo

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Han needs crazy fast reaction time to get inside the Starkiller shields without crashing into the planet. The post Flying at Light Speed Is Pretty Much Impossible—Unless You're Han Solo appeared first on WIRED.

February 8, 2017

Let’s Use Physics to Model the Gaps in Saturn’s Rings

Let’s Use Physics to Model the Gaps in Saturn’s Rings

When a planet has a ring system, you will often see gaps in the rings. Can these ring gaps be modeled numerically? The post Let's Use Physics to Model the Gaps in Saturn's Rings appeared first on WIRED.

No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math

No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math

People are complaining about the size of the Death Star in the Rogue One poster. Here's how you could actually make that picture. The post No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math appeared first on WIRED.

Happy May the 4th! Let’s Break Down a Super Star Destroyer’s Super Death

Happy May the 4th! Let’s Break Down a Super Star Destroyer’s Super Death

In this scene from Return of the Jedi, a Super Star Destroyer crashes into the Death Star. What can we learn from a physics analysis of this event? The post Happy May the 4th! Let's Break Down a Super Star Destroyer's Super Death appeared first on WIRED.

Dang, the Death Star Is Coming Together Quick in the New Star Wars Trailer

Dang, the Death Star Is Coming Together Quick in the New Star Wars Trailer

A scene in the Rogue One trailer shows the assembly of the Death Star. How fast was the dish piece moving? Homework included. The post Dang, the Death Star Is Coming Together Quick in the New Star Wars Trailer appeared first on WIRED.

January 14, 2016

Force Awakens’ Starkiller Would Actually Fling Everyone Into Space

Force Awakens’ Starkiller Would Actually Fling Everyone Into Space

You've waited long enough. It's time for a post on the physics of the Star Wars VII Starkiller Base. Spoiler alert.

The post Force Awakens’ Starkiller Would Actually Fling Everyone Into Space appeared first on WIRED.

December 17, 2015

The Physics in Star Wars Isn’t Always Right, and That’s OK

The Physics in Star Wars Isn’t Always Right, and That’s OK

I've been analyzing the heck out of the physics in the new Star Wars movie—but in the end, it doesn't have to have correct physics.

The post The Physics in Star Wars Isn’t Always Right, and That’s OK appeared first on WIRED.

December 14, 2015

I Calculated the Mass of a Star Wars Blaster Bolt for You

I Calculated the Mass of a Star Wars Blaster Bolt for You

By looking at a collision between a blaster bolt and a storm trooper, I can estimate the mass of the bolt.

The post I Calculated the Mass of a Star Wars Blaster Bolt for You appeared first on WIRED.