Website: Star Wars: Realities Beyond the Myth
Owner: The Exploration Network/Discovery Channel Canada
Reviewed by ami-padme.
There's a saying that it's only science "fiction" until someone does it. While the question of whether Star Wars is truly science fiction continues to spark debate -- I feel it's a mythological fantasy that happens to have science fiction trappings -- there's little question that the science and technology presented in the saga have inspired people from all walks of life to wonder just how much of it is possible in our galaxy.
The Exploration Network's website, Star Wars: Realities Beyond the Myth (www.exn.ca/starwars/home.cfm), researches much of the science of Sar Wars in an in-depth, informative, and enjoyable manner. Everything from lightsabers to solar sails to cloning technology to hyperdrives is researched, spelling out the likelihood of each item ever becoming real.
Want to have your own lightsaber? You'll have to figure out how to generate a great deal of power from that small, handy hilt. And watch out for any reflective surfaces, as your laser beam might just be turned back on yourself, to rather disastrous results. Ready to traverse the galaxy with your hyperdrive-powered spaceship? You'll have to wait awhile before it leaves the realm of fantasy and becomes plausible scientific theory (even wormholes are a slightly more realistic prospect, depending on who you ask). Ready to clone yourself into your very own army? You'll need to find a lot of surrogate hosts for those potential stormtroopers first.
Each section details the science behind the movie magic, references field experts, and includes a small message board for discussion. There are multiple videos available as well. The "You Asked for It" section answers questions raised by the site's visitors and other Star Wars fans -- such as whether it's biologically possible for creatures like Yoda and Jabba the Hutt to exist, or if a binary sun system like Tatooine's makes physical sense.
Realities Beyond the Myth presents several complex lessons in physics and biology in easy to understand ways, and gives Star Wars fans a new way to look at the saga.
