The Science of Science Fiction in TV and Films

Professor Francis Keenan - Queen’s University Belfast Astrophysics Research Centre
Larmour Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Thursday 3rd April, 19:00

Science-fiction films and TV shows are extremely popular, with many of the top-grossing movies of all-time being science-fiction, while Star Trek (and its various spinoffs) is one of the most-watched TV series. As a result, for many people their main exposure to scientific ideas and concepts is via the medium of science-fiction films and TV. In this presentation, the accuracy (or otherwise!) of the science in science-fiction films and television programmes is discussed, and illustrated using clips from films and TV shows including Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and Aliens.