Forum:Physics of Hyperspace

This is not a scientific quibble...it's about the continued viability of starwars as our current level of technology advances.

We, earthlings, are nearing the point of debunking Einstein's theory of relativity...when that actually happens the starwars universe is going to lose some of its grounding (much like star trek did when the 1990's happened differently than they said it would).

I believe George Lucas avoided this problem when he initially created starwars, but some of the filler material since has been based on Einstein's theories. I believe we need to start rewriting the behind the scenes date regarding hyperspace and travel between stars without Einstein's input.

The basic problem is that there is no speed limit. Things can travel faster than light because speed is a relative measurement. Living on the surface of a planet hides that fact in that we measure speeds relative to the ground without thinking of them as relative.

In space, one can continue to accelerate indefinetly, with speeds measured from their starting point exceeding lightspeed, 2xlightspeed, 10xlightspeed, etc. Then, of course they have to slow down when they near their destination point.

This actually explains how the Millenium Falcon was able to travel from Hoth to Bespin without those two planets being in the same system. This type of 'darkroute' travel, dark because it's not in the bright lights of hyperspace, is dangerous because most matter in the galaxy is traveling at about the same speed. If it went slower it would fall into the center, if it went faster it would fly out of the galaxy. This means that if you are travel ing 10xlightspeed in normal space and run into a fist sized chunk of rock...the collision occurs at 10xlightspeed. Ship hits rock, rock hits ship...it's all a matter of perspective. The damage would be immense.

This is a good reason for the developement of Hyperspace travel, in which there is no matter to run into. And it also allows for an instantaneous acceleration rather than a long drawn out one. The visible acceleration when jumping to hyperspace can be attributed to an illusion caused by the transition between 'dimensions.'

I think this approach will prove to be scientifically sound for years to come while Einstein's theories will go the way of the dodo. It will also help explain that nagging ESB question.

What do you guys think? Am I all wet or do I have a point?