How do stardates work in Star Trek?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the idea of pursuing academic research in popular science fiction franchises like Star Trek, Stargate SG-1, and Doctor Who. Participants express enthusiasm about the potential for obtaining a PhD in these subjects, highlighting the cultural significance of such shows. The conversation touches on the humorous notion of needing to defend a thesis in Klingon and the complexities of stardates in Star Trek, suggesting that a detailed explanation of their mechanics could enhance understanding of the series. Additionally, the influence of science fiction on career prospects is noted, with references to existing literature like "The Physics of Star Trek" by Lawrence Krauss, which could serve as a foundation for academic exploration. Overall, the thread blends humor with a genuine interest in the intersection of science fiction and academia.
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Wow. Does this mean I can get a PhD in Stargate SG1 or Doctor Who?!
 
I deserve a Ph.D. in Star Trek as I've easily done as much research.

Janus deserves a Nobel Prize!

Well...do PF threads count as published papers?
 
G01 said:
Wow. Does this mean I can get a PhD in Stargate SG1 or Doctor Who?!
Probably. But one would have to change majors.

Or get busy and invent a warp drive, worm hole and/or tardis. :biggrin:
 
G01 said:
Wow. Does this mean I can get a PhD in Stargate SG1 or Doctor Who?!

You totally could! You could get a PhD in Comparative Science Fiction and cover both shows.
 
Astronuc said:
Probably. But one would have to change majors.

Or get busy and invent a warp drive, worm hole and/or tardis. :biggrin:

I've had a TARDIS for years! The problem is, I can't find it since my camouflages circuit still works. I have no idea what shape its in. (I'm sure glad no one was around when I tried to make the shower time travel to the year 1823.)
 
G01 said:
I've had a TARDIS for years! The problem is, I can't find it since my camouflages circuit still works.

Just watch for anything bigger on the inside than on the outside. What's the problem?
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Just watch for anything bigger on the inside than on the outside. What's the problem?

I have been wondering how I could fit that tennis court in that trash can out back...

Hmmmm...
 
Is this really the first thesis written about Star Trek?
It seems like a rather "obvious" subject considering how influential the show has been.
 
  • #10
I could do with one of those. My career prospects will be significantly broadened.
 
  • #11
Kurdt said:
I could do with one of those. My career prospects will be significantly broadened.


Or do you mean limited to Star Trek conventions? Are those things still going on?
 
  • #12
G01 said:
I've had a TARDIS for years! The problem is, I can't find it since my camouflages circuit still works. I have no idea what shape its in. (I'm sure glad no one was around when I tried to make the shower time travel to the year 1823.)

Don't worry. I've got a RETARDIS chip implanted in my skull that allows me to see cloaked dimensional anomalies. If your TARDIS is out there I'll find it eventually. I don't think I can help you find the shower you left in 1823. A good metal detector might help.
 
  • #13
The tricky part about getiing your PhD in Star Trek is that you have to take your orals in Klingonese.
 
  • #14
Janus said:
The tricky part about getiing your PhD in Star Trek is that you have to take your orals in Klingonese.

The thesis defense sounds like it might be a bit more dangerous than usual (if Klingons are involved).
 
  • #15
So how 'bout those Romulans? :biggrin:
 
  • #16
Astronuc said:
So how 'bout those Romulans? :biggrin:

They supply the ale for the party after a successful defense.
 
  • #17
Shoot, and all this time I thought that majoring in astrophysics meant I could say "I'm getting my PhD in Star Trek."
 
  • #19
One good idea for a thesis would be an explanation of how time moves and is kept track of in StarTrek. I find the stardates very confusing. Part of this can be chalked up to relativity. Time is passing at different rates for every ship within the Federation Starfleet. Yet, somehow, everyone within the Federation has to resynchronize to some common time or the ships would never know when to meet.

In the original series, stardates ran from 1512.2 to 5928.5.

By time "Star Trek: The Next Generation" starts, stardates are in the 41000+ range with the second digit indicating the season, which doesn't necessarily have to correspond to a year within the show. In fact, an Earth year must be somewhere around 800 to 1000 units per year.

I think they changed the length of a second, as well. It actually makes sense if humanity no longer is constrained to one planet. The idea of leap years becomes very inconvenient, so it becomes easier to extend the length of a second so a day is still 86400 seconds long, but each year is 365.25 days long.

Still, an exact explanation of how stardates work would make the entire series of Star Trek TV shows and movies easier to understand.
 

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