The Physics of Star Trek: A Multimedia Lecture

(Does the Star Trek universe stack up against the real universe?)


"But I canna change the laws of physics, Captain!"


- Scotty, to Kirk, on innumerable occasions

 

The WIPP site is pleased to announce that Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss will deliver a public lecture on The Physics of Star Trek as part of the Workshop on the Next Generation U.S. Underground Science Facility on June 12, 2000 .

How does the Star Trek universe stack up against the real universe? Find out what the series creators got right - and wrong! - about science. From Newton to Hawking, from Kirk to Janeway, Dr. Lawrence Krauss, the author of The Physics of Star Trek, will take you on a warp speed journey through the world of physics as we know it, and as it one day might be.

  • What warps when you're traveling at warp speed?
  • What happens when you get beamed up?
  • Is time travel really possible?
  • How does anti-matter work?
Dr Krauss boldly goes where Star Trek has gone - and beyond. He uses Star Trek as a launching pad to discuss the forefront of modern physics. Slides, props, and video images, as well as wit and charm, make accessible topics ranging from time travel to warp speed, from the Big Bang to the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.

The lecture also features selections from Dr. Krauss's "Top Ten Star Trek Physics Bloopers", gleaned from discussions with some of the most distinguished physicist-Trekkies in the world (including Stephen Hawking), and from the e-mail of techi-Trekkies. For fans and non-Trekkies alike, this lecture will add a new dimension to your enjoyment of the series and to your appreciation of the universe we live in.

Dr. Krauss is the author of a best selling book by the same title, and the Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics, Professor of Astronomy and Chairman of the Department of Physics at Case Western Reserve University. In addition to over 120 scientific articles, Dr. Krauss is the author of Fear of Physics: A guide to the Perplexed and The Fifth Essence: The Search for Dark Matter and Quintessence.

The lecture - which is free and open to workshop participants and invited guests - will be on Monday June 12 at the Carousel House at the Pecos River Village at 7:00 pm.

This lecture is not prepared, approved, licensed or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the Star Trek television series or films.