This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
The latest film in the Star Wars saga is now at multiplexes nationwide, taking moviegoers back to that far, far away galaxy for a fresh dose of epic space battles between cloned soldiers and robotic armies. But what in the sci-fi flicks is based on science, and what is pure fiction? To find out, ScientificAmerican.com has compiled a special In-Depth Report on the science of Star Wars. We feature an interview with the Clone Wars’ director, David Filoni and we also spoke with author Jeanne Cavelos who wrote The Science of Star Wars. We get her take on the latest in cloning, robotic intelligence and of course, the possibility of ever constructing our very own lightsabers. You can see some excerpts from Cavelos’ book, too.
And while you’re at it, check out the most extreme exoplanets, or worlds outside our solar system, that scientists have found thus far. If you haven’t peeped the previews yet, we have a slideshow of screen shots from the new movie made available by Lucasfilm.
The In-Depth Report also features access to our previous coverage of hypnosis (for those in the know, recall Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi mind trick in Episode IV: “These are not the droids you are looking for”), laser beams, and futuristic spacecraft.
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Image Credit: Lucasfilm