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In a galaxy far, far away....
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Astrophysics

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This article covers the Canon version of this subject.  Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Legends version of this subject. 
"The system's orbital dynamics are—as you can see—extraordinarily complex. The local government expended significant resources studying and modeling the effects of the black hole. Wartime activity caused additional disruption in the debris field, which in turn resulted in minor collisions between uninhabited planetoids. I'm quoting the reports now—astrophysics isn't my field, but the Edict's main computer double-checked the math."
―Soran Keize, to several Imperial colleagues[1]

The field of study known as astrophysics included the observation of astronomical objects such as nebulae and black holes. By 41 BBY, a Jedi Master specializing in astrophysics began training a Padawan, Jape, in the field, with the latter quickly grasping the concepts of the field. After being rescued off the planet Vallt in 21 BBY, the scientist Galen Walton Erso visited the Institute of Applied Science's astrophysics building on the planet Coruscant. By the time of the Imperial Era, the Cerberon system's government expended resources to have those knowledgeable in astrophysics—known as astrophysicists—study the system's black hole, the Cerberon singularity.

Description[]

Astrophysics was a field of study in which individuals observed astronomical objects such as nebulae and black holes.[2] Pocket novas were a phenomenon that was known to astrophysicists[3]—those knowledgeable in the field[1]—and occurred when a planetary core was ignited by an outside force, resulting in the formation of a star.[3]

History[]

In the Republic Era, a Jedi Master specialized in astrophysics[2] and, by 41 BBY,[4] took the Force-sensitive individual Jape as their Jedi Padawan.[5] Jape easily grasped the concepts of astrophysics and became passionate about learning his Master's scholarly field, forming a close bond with his teacher.[2] By 40 BBY,[6] Jape was taken by his Master to see unique phenomena such as nebulae and black holes in the galaxy as part of his training in astrophysics and later sent holos of his adventures to his friend, Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. When not traveling, Jape spent time in the Grand Orbital Observatory of Coruscant, a structure designed to observe astronomical occurrences.[2]

Galen-Erso-uniform

Galen Erso visited the Republic Futures Program's astrophysics building on Coruscant.

By the time of the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Institute of Applied Science had an astrophysics building on the planet Coruscant. Shortly after being rescued off the planet Vallt[7] in 21 BBY,[8] the scientist Galen Walton Erso met with one of his former colleagues from the Republic Futures Program—Professor Reeva Demesne—in the now-busy building's solarium, taking note of the heightened security measures and access restrictions imposed on the building because of the war.[7]

The Republic's successor, the Galactic Empire, eventually rose to power in 19 BBY,[9] and the Cerberon system fell within its domain. At least by the time of the later Imperial Era, the system's local government had used significant resources to have those working in astrophysics research the effects of its black hole, the Cerberon singularity, on surrounding space.[1] In 5 ABY,[10] the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing's advisor Soran Keize proposed striking against the New Republic forces who had taken control of many Cerberon system worlds by planning an attack on one of its planets—Troithe. To support his argument, Keize mentioned the peculiarities of the system's orbital dynamics and how its asteroid field had been affected by wartime activities. However, he indicated he was quoting from available reports since he was not an expert in the astrophysics field and offered to forward the relevant data to others if they proceeded.[1]

Behind the scenes[]

Catalyst A Rogue One Novel

In the current canon, astrophysics was first explicitly mentioned in Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel.

In the current Star Wars canon, the field of astrophysics was first indirectly mentioned via the introduction of the position of astrophysicist, which was included in the 2015 adult novelization of the film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster.[11] Astrophysics was first fully introduced and identified by name in the 2016 novel Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel, which was written by James Luceno.[7]

In the Star Wars Legends continuity, the field of astrophysics was likewise first introduced via a mention of the position of astrophysicist in the 1984 reference book A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, written by Raymond L. Velasco.[12] Astrophysics was first mentioned by name on its own in the 1987 The Star Wars Sourcebook, which was written by Bill Slavicsek and Curtis Smith and released by West End Games for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.[13] The occupation's first full appearance was marked by the astrophysicist Danni Quee's featuring in the 1999 novel The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime, written by R. A. Salvatore as the first installment of the Star Wars: The New Jedi Order series.[14] In the real world, astrophysics is a field of scientific study focusing on applying the laws of physics and chemistry to create physical theories describing small- to medium-scale astronomical objects.[15]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Shadow Fall
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Master & Apprentice
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens novelization
  4. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Padawan to 41 BBY. In Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi mentions Jape's apprenticeship to his Master, meaning their partnership must have begun by 41 BBY.
  5. ↑ Padawan
  6. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines places the events of Master & Apprentice in 40 BBY.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the wedding of Lyra and Galen Erso to 25 BBY, and Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z establishes that the Ersos moved to Vallt three years later, placing that event to 22 BBY. Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel establishes that their rescue occurred after they spent one year on Vallt, placing the rescue of the Erso family in 21 BBY.
  9. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines
  10. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Shadow Fall to 5 ABY.
  11. ↑ Star Wars: The Force Awakens novelization
  12. ↑ A Guide to the Star Wars Universe
  13. ↑ The Star Wars Sourcebook
  14. ↑ The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime
  15. ↑ What is Astrophysics? | Space by Ariel Balter on Space.com (October 28, 2022) (archived from the original on May 21, 2024)

External links[]

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