Warp speed may actually be possible + Star Trek: Into Darkness Review + The Captains Close Up by Shatner

.. Decades after the original “Star Trek” show had gone off the air, pioneering physicist and avowed Trek fan Miguel Alcubierre argued that maybe a warp drive is possible after all. It just wouldn’t work quite the way “Star Trek” thought it did.

Things with mass can’t move faster than the speed of light. But what if, instead of the ship moving through space, the space was moving around the ship?

Space doesn’t have mass. And we know that it’s flexible: space has been expanding at a measurable rate ever since the Big Bang. We know this from observing the light of distant stars — over time, the wavelength of the stars’ light as it reaches Earth is lengthened in a process called “redshifting.” According to the Doppler effect, this means that the source of the wavelength is moving farther away from the observer — i.e. Earth.

So we know from observing redshifted light that the fabric of space is movable. [See also: What to Wear on a 100-Year Starship Voyage]

Alcubierre used this knowledge to exploit a loophole in the “universal speed limit.” In his theory, the ship never goes faster than the speed of light — instead, space in front of the ship is contracted while space behind it is expanded, allowing the ship to travel distances in less time than light would take. The ship itself remains in what Alcubierre termed a “warp bubble” and, within that bubble, never goes faster than the speed of light.

Since Alcubierre published his paper “The Warp Drive: Hyper-fast travel within general relativity” in 1994, many physicists and science fiction writers have played with his theory —including “Star Trek” itself. [See also: Top 10 Star Trek Technologies]

Alcubierre’s warp drive theory was retroactively incorporated into the “Star Trek” mythos by the 1990s TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

In a way, then, “Star Trek” created its own little grandfather paradox: Though ultimately its theory of faster-than-light travel was heavily flawed, the series established a vocabulary of light-speed travel that Alcubierre eventually formalized in his own warp drive theories.

The Alcubierre warp drive is still theoretical for now. “The truth is that the best ideas sound crazy at first. And then there comes a time when we can’t imagine a world without them.” That’s a statement from the 100 Year Starship organization, a think tank devoted to making Earth what “Star Trek” would call a “warp-capable civilization” within a century.

The first step toward a functional warp drive is to prove that a “warp bubble” is even possible, and that it can be artificially created.

That’s exactly what physicist Harold “Sonny” White and a team of researchers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas are doing right now.

According to Alcubierre’s theory, one could create a warp bubble by applying negative energy, or energy created in a vacuum. This process relies on the Casimir effect, which states that a vacuum is not actually a void; instead, a vacuum is actually full of fluctuating electromagnetic waves. Distorting these waves creates negative energy, which possibly distorts space-time, creating a warp bubble.

To see if space-time distortion has occurred in a lab experiment, the researchers shine two highly targeted lasers: one through the site of the vacuum and one through regular space. The researchers will then compare the two beams, and if the wavelength of the one going through the vacuum is lengthened, i.e. redshifted, in any way, they’ll know that it passed through a warp bubble. …

via Warp speed, Scotty? It may actually be possible… – Science.

I did recently see Star Trek: Into Darkness (or as I call it, the Different Wrath of a Different Khan) the day it came out, but I’ve been holding off on writing my review. As a long time fan of the series, I’m a bit embarrassed to say that, well, truth be told, I enjoyed Iron Man 3 more.

After plenty of thought, I’ve boiled it down to three things. First, a major element missing from this latest Star Trek was a Captain with a wry sense of humor.  This Kirk still seemed like a too serious boy to me, plenty of the bravado but missing the sense of ease and humor that made Bill Shatner the best Kirk so far. There were some great and moments like Sulu’s bluff, great stunts, great CG and an interesting villain. Second, the rewrites of events from the original series just didn’t seem right. They were at times out of character for the characters. Spock yelling “Khaaaaaaan,” for example, was totally illogical.  This was fun and funny for long time fans, but was something you’d expect from a Saturday Night Live spoof rather than an addition to the Trek Legacy. It was playful fun, sure, but it took me out of the story and made me focus on the producers/writers rather than keeping me engaged in an enjoyable story. Third, the pace was off somehow. I can’t put my finger on it, but the ride from wild action to peaceful relief was just not enjoyable.

Anyway, speaking of different Trek captains, check this out:

EPIX has announced the premiere of William Shatner’s new Star Trek themed mini-series, The Captains Close Up on May 16^th.  The premiere is part of EPIX’ “Trekkie Fest,” an entire night of programming related to Paramount’s latest Star Trek Into Darkness, opening on May 16^th.  Also screening on EPIX will be Shatner’s feature documentary on the world of Star Trek fandom; William Shatner’s Get a Life.

The Captains Close Up is a five-episode miniseries, directed by and featuring William Shatner.  Each episode focuses on one of the Captains of Star Trek:Sir Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks and of course, William Shatner, himself.  Chris Pine, the newest Enterprise Captain, turns the tables to interview the original Captain of the Enterprise, William Shatner, and the two “Captain James T. Kirks” compare notes about love, life and family.

William Shatner speaks with each of the Captains of the Starship USS Enterprise for an up close interview of their life after Star Trek.  Each half-hour is an intimate portrayal of these talented actors and includes interviews from the biggest names in the world of Star Trek including; Jonathan Frakes, Walter Koenig, Michael Dorn, Rene Auberjonois, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Robert Beltran, Ron Moore, Terry Farrell, Nana Visitor and Ira Steven Behr, to name a few.

The Captains Close Up miniseries is the 9^th production with William Shatner from 455 Films and Love Lake Productions in association with Le Big Boss Productions. Shatner also serves as producer, along with Kevin Layne and David Zappone.  Joseph Kornbrodt and Helene Layne serve as associate producers.  Premium network EPIX is owned by Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM.

The Hobbit ring that may have inspired Tolkien put on show

The ‘cursed’ Roman ring that may have inspired Tolkien’s Hobbit books.

… A new exhibition opening today at The Vyne, now owned by the National Trust, raises the intriguing possibility that the Roman ring in the case, and the ring of power in JRR Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, and in his Lord of the Rings trilogy, are one and the same.

As Dave Green, the property manager, explains, there’s more to the story than the ring – an iron-age site with ancient mine workings known as “the Dwarf’s Hill”, a curse on the thief who stole the ring, and a strong link to Tolkien himself.

Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford before he found fame as an author, with the publication of The Hobbit in 1937, and the first of the Rings trilogy in 1954. He certainly knew the story of the curse and the ring, and was researching the subject two years before he began work on The Hobbit.

The ring was in the collection of the Chute family – which for generations was interested in politics, collecting, and antiquarian research – for centuries before the house came to the National Trust in the 1930s.

“I was looking for the ring to show a visitor, and I walked right past the case with it – that’s when I decided we really had to make more of this amazing thing,” Green said. As well as the exhibition room, created with the help of the Tolkien Trust, the house now has a dwarf trail for children and a new playground with circular tunnels and green hillocks recalling Bilbo’s home, Bag End.

The ring was probably found in 1785 by a farmer ploughing a few miles away within the walls of Silchester, one of the most enigmatic Roman sites in the country – a town which flourished before the Roman invasion, was abandoned by the 7th century and was never reoccupied.

There are no details of exactly when it was found, but historians assume the farmer sold it to the history loving wealthy family at The Vyne. It was a strikingly odd object, 12g of gold so large that it would only fit on a gloved thumb, ornamented with a peculiar spiky head wearing a diadem, and a Latin inscription reading: “Senicianus live well in God”.

A few decades later and 100 miles away, more of the story turned up: at Lydney in Gloucestershire, a Roman site known locally as the Dwarf’s Hill, a tablet with an inscribed curse was found. A Roman called Silvianus informs the god Nodens that his ring has been stolen. He knows the villain responsible, and he wants the god to sort them out: “Among those who bear the name of Senicianus to none grant health until he bring back the ring to the temple of Nodens.”

Lydney was re-excavated by the maverick archaeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who called in Tolkien in 1929 to advise on the odd name of the god – and also spotted the connection between the name on the curse and the Chute family’s peculiar ring. It seems that Senicianus only got as far as Silchester before he lost his booty.

Dr Lynn Forest-Hill of the Tolkien Society said Tolkien’s source was usually assumed to be literary sources, including the Niebelung legends. “It is, then, particularly fascinating to see the physical evidence of the Vyne ring, with its links to Tolkien through the inscription associating it with a curse.”

The ring is now on display with a first edition of The Hobbit and a copy of the curse – visitors are invited to vote on whether they are looking at the original of Bilbo’s ring. …

via The Hobbit ring that may have inspired Tolkien put on show | Books | The Guardian.

NASA meets Star Trek fans

Before you watch Star Trek Into Darkness in theaters this May, you may see some scenes from space that weren’t made in Hollywood.

In just six days, a space industry lobbying group has successfully raised enough money on Indiegogo to get a 30-second ad trailer about NASA played on the silver screen. The trailer will be played before the latest Star Trek movie starts on 59 screens in major U.S. cities.

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), which represents 350 U.S. aerospace and defense companies, has beat its $33,000 Indiegogo campaign goal and will create a 30-second spot about the nation’s space program from a longer “We are the Explorers” video about NASA.

The association said its wants to raise awareness of what the American space industry can do in the next era of space exploration:

When the Space Shuttle landed for the last time, many Americans thought NASA was closed for good. Nothing could be further from the truth. Right now, men and women from the space program are designing and building next generation space vehicles to go to new destinations in space, farther than we’ve ever gone before.

With 33 days left to go in the AIA’s Indiegogo campaign — which is not officially endorsed by NASA — the trade association is shooting for the stars: It’s now hoping to raise $94,000 so it can get the NASA trailer out to 750 screens across the nation. Funding had reached almost $33,900 by Saturday afternoon. …

As part of the U.S.’s budget sequester that went into effect March 1, funding will be cut from NASA. Though NASA’s estimated budget for fiscal 2013 is $17.7 billion, it accounts for only a tiny percentage of the overall federal budget.

Star Trek Into Darkness opens in U.S. theaters on May 17.

After Earth (trailer)

Happy Patrick Stewart’s Day

To be honest, even though I’m part Irish, I’ve never understood St. Patrick’s Day. From now on, I’ve decided to celebrate Sir Patrick Stewart’s day on that day instead. He’s a much better role model. I’ll watch a few of his films, X-men or something, and eat some organic popcorn. Rock out.

Halle Berry Confirms Return To The X-Men Franchise

Halle Berry confirmed that she would be returning to her iconic role as Storm in the newest film in the X-Men franchise. She was appearing on “The Tonight Show” where she said she agreed to do it because it’s a great role and — “those residual checks don’t hurt,” she added with a laugh.”It’s a character that I love and the fans really love the whole series,” Berry said. “They really love Storm. It’s like family. It’s fun to get back together with Hugh and everybody. It’s good fun.”

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” is heading into production soon for aprojected release date in the summer of 2014. And Berry won’t be the only familiar face returning to the franchise. Expect to see the returns of Patrick Stewart, Ellen Page and Anna Paquin as well.

Read More…

New “Star Trek Into Darkness” trailer debuts

Captain Kirk may not be up for a promotion anytime soon.The Enterprise commander faces a reprimand from Starfleet brass in the latest trailer for J.J. Abrams’ upcoming “Star Trek Into Darkness.” J.J. Abrams gives exclusive sneak peek of “Star Trek Into Darkness” Terminally ill fan gets to see “Star Trek Into Darkness” before release”Do you have any idea what a pain you are?” Admiral Christopher Pike Bruce Greenwood asks Chris Pine’s Kirk in the new spot. “You think the rules don’t apply to you because you disagree with them?”The film is a sequel to Abrams’ 2009 blockbuster “Star Trek” reboot, with Greenwood, Pine and much of the cast from the first film back on board for this latest installment.While some of the same footage is reused from the first official “Darkness” trailer, a few new scenes have been thrown in with more clues to the identity of the sequel’s mysterious villain, played by “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch.There has been much speculation over Cumbebatch’s role as John Harrison and his as-yet-unknown character history. Some think that Harrison has some sort of a connection to Khan, the villain played by Ricardo Montalban in “Star Trek II” and the 60s TV series.Another scene from the trailer features the Enterprise totally submerged underwater while encountering a giant sea alien. Watch the video above to see for yourself.”Star Trek Into Darkness” officially opens in theaters on May 17.

via New “Star Trek Into Darkness” trailer debuts – CBS News.

Carrie Fisher to return as Leia in new Star Wars film

Carrie Fisher to return as Leia in new Star Wars films
4 hrs ago from CNET
The actress says she’ll reprise the galactic role that made her famous.

The Force seems to be growing stronger with the upcoming new Star Wars films.

Actress Carrier Fisher will return to a galaxy far, far away to play the role of Princess Leia in the next Star Wars movie.

In an interview with Palm Beach Illustrated, Fisher gave a simple “Yes” when asked to confirm whether she’ll reprise the role of Princess Leia.

So what will the princess be like in the new saga?

From Fisher’s wry point of view, Leia would be elderly and living in an intergalactic old folks’ home but still sporting the same infamous hairdo from the first film and the bikini from the third one.

“The bagel buns and the bikini, because probably she has sundowners syndrome,” Fisher said. “At sundown, she thinks that she’s 20-something. And she puts it on and gets institutionalized.”

That vision may not quite jibe with what director J.J. Abrams has in mind, so the actress added that she thinks Leia would “be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle.”

Rumors have popped up that Harrison Ford will also return to the Star Wars universe to reprise the role of Han Solo. And what of Luke himself?

Mark Hamil said last month that George Lucas has spoken to the main cast to see if they’d want to reprise their roles. Hamil also revealed that Lucas would not recast any of the roles and would simply write out the character of any actor who declined to return.

The new Star Wars saga is due to soar into theaters in 2015. Lucasfilm owner Disney is reportedly prepping a series of standalone films to focus on individual characters along with a whole new trilogy.

Awesome. I had a crush on her back in the day.

Ironman 3 Trailer

The Clear Face of Bigfoot? Screens from Secretive Sasquatch Project Leak

Have frames from the infamously secretive Erickson Project video leaked, showing Bigfoot’s face in the most compelling evidence since the Patterson film? Maybe… A screen capture allegedly grabbed from the infamous Matilda footage claims to show Bigfoot s face A screen allegedly grabbed from the “Matilda” video claims to show Bigfoot’s face Dr. Melba Ketchum, the woman behind the controversial DNA study into Bigfoot, has been working with a group of people calling themselves “The Erickson Project”. The project’s claim to fame? They swear that they were actually able to sneak up on a sleeping Sasquatch and capture ultra clear video evidence of the creature. While that evidence has been teased for quite awhile, having been seen and even verified as genuine Squatch evidence by the likes of Finding Bigfoot head honcho Matt Moneymaker, the only clip that has ever come to light was a very inconclusive bit of footage that cuts away without ever showing us the money shot – Matilda’s face. According to our friends over at the Bigfoot Evidence blog, the complete footage is so enticing that Erickson has offered to sell it at the price of one million dollars, with rumors that the Discovery Channel may have even purchased it already. With eyewitness statements from Moneymaker, interest from Discovery, and a seven figure price tag, you can’t help but wonder just how convincing Matilda’s face is. Well, if the recent leaks of what are purportedly frames from the Erickson footage are to be believed, the answer might be “not very”. In fact, “Matilda” might just be a painted and re-touched Chewbacca mask. The frames were posted by Bill Munns on the Bigfoot Forums along with a pointed request for those who have seen the Matilda footage to verify it and somehow prove that the creature’s face is not just a mask. From the post:

isthismatilda

With this posting, I cordially suggest the following:
1. If anyone wishes to publicly acknowledge that this is their footage, I invite them to do so, and if they are correct, I’ll acknowledge it to be true.
2. If anyone feels the video frames show a real creature and not a Chewbacca mask, I welcome their analysis of why we should consider that to be so.
3. If anyone has seen the “Matilda” footage, I invite you to let us know if this is or is not the footage you call “Matilda”, because maybe what I’m looking at isn’t her, and I welcome being corrected if that is so.
4. If my display of this chart causes anyone to feel that they should file some type of civil action against me, please have your lawyer contact me at wmunns@gte.net so we can set an appointment for my receiving the service of papers, and we can discuss the matter on the public record, in a court.

For the record, I will confidently and clearly offer an appraisal of evidence as being something real, if I truly find the evidence leads to that conclusion, and my appraisal of the PGF as being real supports that position. But as much as we must support what we find to be real or valid, we must also reject or discount what we find to be false or fake. Our obligation is to find the truth, and I think it’s time we all knew the truth about this “Matilda” thing. I finally decided it’s time I did my share to get the truth out. If what Munns says is true, this comes as another blow to a Bigfoot project claiming “definitive evidence” that has already seen several hits to it’s credibility, whether it be the refusal of science journals to even touch the project or the paper’s citing of an April Fools joke in it’s references. On the other hand, the leak might just be viral marketing for Star Wars Episode VII.

via The Clear Face of Bigfoot? Screens from Secretive Sasquatch Project Leak | Who Forted? Magazine.