This was a mystery percolating for almost fifty years

  • Thread starter Thread starter DaveC426913
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mystery
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the nature of blaster bolts in Star Wars, clarifying that they are not lasers but rather plasma bolts, which travel at speeds comparable to Nerf gun darts. Participants note that the fantasy elements of Star Wars contribute to its broad appeal, allowing viewers to enjoy the story without getting bogged down by scientific accuracy. The conversation touches on the iconic imagery of Jedi deflecting blaster bolts, likening it to a baseball player hitting a ball. Additionally, there are references to the influence of classic films on Star Wars, enhancing understanding of its stylistic choices. Ultimately, recognizing Star Wars as fantasy rather than science fiction helps resolve many of the perceived inconsistencies.
DaveC426913
Gold Member
Messages
23,829
Reaction score
7,814
: slaps forehead : OF COURSE!!
The Force.jpg
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes russ_watters, Ibix, BWV and 3 others
Physics news on Phys.org
does it also make laser beams travel slower than light?


https://www.wired.com/2012/05/star-wars-blaster-speed/
  • A Jedi deflecting blaster bolts with a lightsaber is about the same as a baseball player hitting a pitched ball.
  • Playing with Nerf guns and plastic lightsabers in the backyard isn't too terribly different than the movie.
 
BWV said:
does it also make laser beams travel slower than light?


https://www.wired.com/2012/05/star-wars-blaster-speed/
Iirc, they’ve retconned the actual weaponry from lasers to some sort of handwavium plasma. Yes, heavier weapons are called “lasers” or “turbolasers” but it’s a plasma bolt.
 
Flyboy said:
Iirc, they’ve retconned the actual weaponry from lasers to some sort of handwavium plasma. Yes, heavier weapons are called “lasers” or “turbolasers” but it’s a plasma bolt.
Saw that and according to the piece I posted they travel about as fast as nerf gun darts
 
BWV said:
  • Playing with Nerf guns and plastic lightsabers in the backyard isn't too terribly different than the movie.
You can say that again. That may have been the basis for that series' broad appeal. Lucas deliberately adopted a B movie style. Viewers like it : it's fun.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
Now if a Jedi could deflect an inside slider or a knuckle-ball, I would be genuinely impressed.
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
diogenesNY said:
Now if a Jedi could deflect an inside slider or a knuckle-ball, I would be genuinely impressed.
Use The Force, Luke.
 
c=39 km/h, laser speed problem solved.
 
  • #10
Office_Shredder said:
c=39 km/h, laser speed problem solved.
But now you have to explain why Luke's busted-ass landspeeder doesn't have a hyper-drive.
 
  • #11
DaveC426913 said:
But now you have to explain why Luke's busted-ass landspeeder doesn't have a hyper-drive.
Hyperdrives are for going fast, he was just going a couple of cs.
 
  • #12
As soon as I realized that Star Wars is fantasy and not science fiction, all of these issues went away and it became even more enjoyable.
 
  • #13
Chicken Squirr-El said:
As soon as I realized that Star Wars is fantasy and not science fiction, all of these issues went away and it became even more enjoyable.
Many years later, when I watched Kursawa's _Hidden Fortress_, a whole lot of things began to make a bit more sense. Also, the trench run is nearly shot for shot from the climactic sequence of _633 Squadron_.
 
Back
Top