Could the Star Wars galaxy possibly be a void galaxy?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the concept of whether the Star Wars galaxy could be classified as a void galaxy, particularly in relation to its interactions with other galaxies and the implications of its fictional astrophysics. Participants examine the nature of galactic contact, communication capabilities, and the lore surrounding the Star Wars universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Star Wars galaxy could be a void galaxy due to its apparent lack of contact with other galaxies.
  • Others argue that it is not typical for galaxies to have direct contact, suggesting that communication across vast distances would be challenging.
  • One participant questions the premise that the Star Wars galaxy has no contact with other galaxies, seeking clarification on its canonical status.
  • Another participant reflects on the implications of the Star Wars galaxy's portrayal, suggesting it may be more accurately described as a proto-solar system rather than a galaxy.
  • Some participants note that the Star Wars galaxy lacks intergalactic travel capabilities, raising questions about the extent of its astronomical knowledge.
  • There is mention of FTL (Faster Than Light) communication technology, with discussions on its limitations and the fictional context of the Star Wars universe.
  • One participant references a storyline from Legends where an external species attempted to invade the main galaxy, suggesting that while crossing the void was possible, it was not pursued.
  • Another participant humorously comments on the fictional nature of astrophysics in Star Wars, contrasting it with real-world physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of viewpoints, with no clear consensus on whether the Star Wars galaxy can be classified as a void galaxy. The discussion includes both supportive and opposing arguments regarding the nature of galactic contact and the implications of the fictional universe's astrophysics.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the fictional nature of the Star Wars universe, which may not adhere to real-world astrophysical principles. There are unresolved questions regarding the extent of intergalactic travel capabilities and the implications of communication technology within the narrative.

Maximum7
Messages
124
Reaction score
11
A void galaxy is a galaxy that exists in a cosmological void like the Bootes void. Most galaxies are clustered into filaments. Here is a link to the Wikipedia page for a void galaxy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Void_galaxy

Anyway, in Star Wars Legends, the Star Wars galaxy has 7 companion galaxies and in new canon, at least 1 companion galaxy. The Wikipedia page isn’t detailed on whether void galaxies can have companions but it says that there are galaxy groups in the void. I was thinking the Star Wars galaxy could be a void galaxy because it doesn’t have any contact with other galaxies. Is this feasible or is the Star Wars galaxy likely located in a supercluster.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It would not be normal to have "contact" with other galaxies. Not unless you follow your "Hello" with a lot of patience.
 
.Scott said:
It would not be normal to have "contact" with other galaxies. Not unless you follow your "Hello" with a lot of patience.

They have FTL communications on a magnitude of 4,750,000c. It would still take a bit of time to reach across the void. Communication lag depends on story writers but it seems that getting a message across the galaxy is somewhat challenging until 5 ABY.
 
Maximum7 said:
I was thinking the Star Wars galaxy could be a void galaxy because it doesn’t have any contact with other galaxies.
I am confused. The very creation of the thread seems premised on the above claim (otherwise, why speculate about voidness at all?)

So, where does this premise come from? Is it canon that "...the Star Wars galaxy doesn’t have any contact with other galaxies* ..."?
 
You know ... in 41 years I have never once doubted that this was a galaxy that the Millennium Falcon was headed for, and always thought "My, that's quite a side quest".

It isn't until I went to use it in this thread that it occurred to me this is more plausibly a proto-solar system.

1629150117574.png


My whole life is a lie.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hornbein
DaveC426913 said:
You know ... in 41 years I have never once doubted that this was a galaxy that the Millennium Falcon was headed for, and always thought "My, that's quite a side quest".

It isn't until I went to use it in this thread that it occurred to me this is more plausibly a proto-solar system.

View attachment 287639

My whole life is a lie.

In Legends it was the main galaxy. In canon; I have no clue. I am an aspiring writer and if I ever get a chance to write for Star Wars; I have many MANY ideas I’d like to implement
 
Do you have a response to my post #4?
 
DaveC426913 said:
Do you have a response to my post #4?
It is canon that the Star Wars galaxy doesn’t really have the capability to travel intergalactic and I am merely trying to speculate that if there astronomy is as good as ours if not better; do you think they know all there is to know about all the galaxies in the universe.
 
Maximum7 said:
It is canon that the Star Wars galaxy doesn’t really have the capability to travel intergalactic and I am merely trying to speculate that if there astronomy is as good as ours if not better; do you think they know all there is to know about all the galaxies in the universe based on telescopes and observations.
 
  • #10
Maximum7 said:
They have FTL communications on a magnitude of 4,750,000c. It would still take a bit of time to reach across the void. Communication lag depends on story writers but it seems that getting a message across the galaxy is somewhat challenging until 5 ABY.
Well, there's your answer.
It's not just a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It's also in a portion of the universe with different limitations. We may have the Higgs field, but we're missing that Force field (as in "may the Force be with you). I would guess that attempting to use that FTL communications technology into regions that are beyond the bounds of that Force field would be impossible.
 
  • #11
Maximum7 said:
I was thinking the Star Wars galaxy could be a void galaxy because it doesn’t have any contact with other galaxies.
According to Legends, a species from outside of the main galaxy (and not from the companion galaxies) could cross the void and stage an invasion. And at the end they were proven to be inferior to the army of the Force-guided main galaxy.

So it's not really that they couldn't. They just didn't.
 
  • #12
Rive said:
... at the end they were proven to be inferior to the army of the Force-guided main galaxy.
Hm. Sounds familiar.
1629206431975.png
 
  • #13
Astrophysics in Star Wars is totally different than in reality.

The probability of successfully navigating an asteroid field is not approximately 3,720 to one.
 
  • Informative
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: BillTre and DaveC426913

Similar threads

What kind of telescope can see planets in other galaxies?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Structure of the Galaxy: 6 Questions Confirmed
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
High School Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Which of these would be the hardest to do (based on known science)?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad J0524-0336, surprisingly high Li concentration
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Oldest part of the galaxy that could have held life?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
SciFi Idea: What do you think about very long lifespans?
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
14K
Can Telekinesis Replace Magnetic Fields in Lightsaber Design?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Questioning the cosmological principle
  • · Replies 82 ·
3
Replies
82
Views
14K
Graduate Do voids in the Universe influence the orientation of galaxies?
  • · Replies 62 ·
3
Replies
62
Views
9K