Solar System Vs. Galaxy

POSTED BY: MadJack
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 17:41
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GROUNDED

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lodril:
Quote:
Originally posted by Grounded:
The crew of Serenity seem to just be getting by so we can also assume that they can't afford to skip back and forth between nearby systems i.e. they need to work locally.

That assumes a whole host of other things though, including how close the various planets are to each other, which is a critical piece of information we just don't have. They could be in one system, but on the other hand they might be on opposite sides of the galaxy. It might take days at ten times the speed of light, or days only just below the speed of light.

We also don't know the nature of their travel technology. Moving from opposite ends of the galaxy might be easier than cutting through the middle. It might be faster to go farther than it is to travel a shorter distance. This isn't just dependent on technology either, their routes could also be dictated by Alliance presence, tolls, taxes, and all sorts of other things.

They also seem to travel at slower speeds between points. Possibly there are navigational requirements that only allow full speed to be achieved between certain local positions. Hazards to the space lanes, jump points (ala Wing Commander), or who knows what else. Try explaining the Internet to someone from 1504... they're missing too many intervening pieces of technology for any of it to make much sense, even if you could sit them down and show it to them.

We're missing far too much information to put forward anything but wild speculation here. Which is good. I'm tired of too many answers. That was always my problem with the past several iterations of Star Trek.

They consistently refer to the 'inner planets' in the show. Does that not sound like evidence of a single solar system? Also, if you open it up so that they're operating in a galaxy then the probabilities of encountering other ships goes way down and makes eps like Out Of Gas all the more improbable.

FREAKYSINS

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:30 PM

They also refer to the "core planets"... to me, that is more indicative of a group of systems. The idea of a single solar system supporting more than 70 terraformed, habitable planets (even if 2/3rds of them are simply hospitable moons) is just too... impossible, I guess, based on what I know about the way spatial bodies act and react. I can make a more cohesive case for FTL travel than I can a single solar system.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle."

CARTAGIA

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:51 PM

I guess another assumption on my part, is that the "Core Worlds" referred to more of the core of the alliance government. Though it also makes sense that they would be closer together. The Core Worlds were probably the first to be terraformed. They then spawned daughter planets further and further out, using each terraformed planet as a 'jumping off point' to go to the next.

Just my thoughts, though. Can really make any argument.

Simon: I've never shot anyone before.

Book: I was there, son. I'm fair sure you haven't shot anyone yet.

GROUNDED

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:57 PM

But any such case would be dependent on the creation of the series' 'universe' having been done with all these factors in mind. I'm saying that, simply from watching the series, it seems to me to be a single solar system without FTL - regardless of whether or not the concept of hundreds of habitable planets is incongruous with a single system. There have certainly been plenty worse oversights in the history of TV SF thus far!

Perhaps even less likely than 70 terraformed planets in one system, is that we will be terraforming planets in 500 years time at all...

JASONZZZ

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:01 PM

Check out Kemplerer Rosettes, you can have an entire crapload of planets in the same stable orbital path.

http://burtleburtle.net/bob/physics/kempler.html

Quote:
Originally posted by Freakysins:
They also refer to the "core planets"... to me, that is more indicative of a group of systems. The idea of a single solar system supporting more than 70 terraformed, habitable planets (even if 2/3rds of them are simply hospitable moons) is just too... impossible, I guess, based on what I know about the way spatial bodies act and react. I can make a more cohesive case for FTL travel than I can a single solar system.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle."

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GTE910H

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:18 PM

I'm a huge fan of: "It really doesn't matter"

Perhaps the science was proved wrong, and there isn't and difference between FTL and normal travel, who knows. Its not important. The show is about grime, grit and reality, and people in those situations: the tech is a distraction.

SEVENPERCENT

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gte910h:
I'm a huge fan of: "It really doesn't matter"

Perhaps the science was proved wrong, and there isn't and difference between FTL and normal travel, who knows. Its not important. The show is about grime, grit and reality, and people in those situations: the tech is a distraction.

I agree to being a huge fan of 'Doesnt matter', I hate technobabble, but I'm bored, so I'll weigh in with my two cents-

I go with the multiple solar systems theory- I think the core worlds are in the closest together solar systems and are the most inhabited, with various outer colonies and moons as you get into solar systems further away (like the example of a Medieval castle and its surrounding villiages, as you get further from the castle defensability and supply go WAY down, while crime and poverty go WAY up) - 'The Black' as it relates to the Reavers is out into starless areas that are completely uninhabited, with almost colonized ships (forcing them to come into regular territory for supplies and new recruits)-
As far as FTL travel goes, I think it's possible within the confines of what you are shown- Look at modern cars- I know my car is powered by (at least I think it is)by an internal combustion engine- Beats me how it works, but I know enough about it to fix little parts when they break, or take it to someone that can fix it- When I say I got from point A to point B here in year 2004, I got in my car and went there- Not, I achieved getting there by x, the science of which is y- They have higher tech because it's the future, and unlike Star Trek they dont need to tell us how every gizmo works (Hell, Mal's the captain and he doesnt know)- They just put it together and use it, just like I use my car- I dont need to know how, I can just suspend my disbelief and go, ok- It's totally irrelevant to the show-
Which leads me to my last point (sorry this is long)- With multiple star systems, and chances of things going wrong, and space debris, I'm sure there are Space Lanes, just like today's modern highways- Do you have to use them? No, but they are probably highly alliance patrolled and safe- You can take the back way (like in OOG), but it's risky (we see why)- You want to avoid cops? Take the back roads, but better hope nothing happens- So I throw in for multiple systems, space lanes, and FTL-

------------------------------------------
He looked bigger when I couldn't see him.

GROUNDED

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 9:58 PM

Lol, am I the only one campaigning for single system, no FTL?

HOTPOINT

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 10:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Grounded:
Lol, am I the only one campaigning for single system, no FTL?

Accept serious Gravity Modification and I'll buy it

Even so I'd be happier with a Binary/Trinary Star system

...................................
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With cries of “Death or Glory” comes the mighty Twenty-First

DRE

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 10:41 PM

I would assume they have a form of FTL travel based on the comments of their 'Burner' drive (where Serenity's engines glow and the ship vroooooms off). It's definately not warp/superlight speed, but it moves em faster and easier (a couple references are made between Mal and Wash about 'burning' the drives and the use of fuel, etc. My two cents there.

As to the nature of the 'Verse, I opt for the multiple systems, but they gotta be pretty close knit. It isn't completely infeasible, but I'd put my money on Alliance Core bein by a blue star. . . .

IKIYO.
DRE

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