10: F9: The Facts Saga, with Bobak Ferdowsi from NASA
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
Release Date: 12/28/2023
57: Archaeology in Star Wars
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
Dr. Samantha Porter joins us to chat about her work using lasers and other technology to map archaeological sites without disturbing them. We delves into the historical significance of the ruins of Yavin and whether it's ethical for the Rebellion to hide out there. And of course we cover Star Wars's favorite archaeologist - Dr. Aphra! We even get a little bit into ancient alien conspiracies. Show Links: Check out and ! Check out Samantha showing off her LIDAR on ! Read the paper Samantha mentioned, "" And also check out the Mayan archaeology content creators Samantha mentioned in the...
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Bonus: Galaxy Quest panel at LA Comic Con
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
Enjoy this recording of our LA Comic Con panel about the 25th anniversary of Galaxy Quest! This bonus episide is also with images from the slideshow! Panel description: Let's celebrate 25 years of Galaxy Quest with behind the scenes stories from creatives who worked on the movie, including ILM model maker Fon Davis. He'll be joined by fans who were inspired by Galaxy Quest in their own creative work, including Erin Macdonald, the science advisor for the current Star Trek shows, and Jack Bennett, the director of “Never Surrender,” a documentary about making the movie. Moderated by...
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Bonus: Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas panel at LA Comic Con
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
Enjoy this recording of our LA Comic Con panel about Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas! This bonus episide is also with images from the slideshow including storyboard art and behind the scenes photos! Panel description: As we kick off spooky season, let’s celebrate the 15th anniversary of Coraline and the 30th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas with some of the creatives who brought these movie masterpieces to life. Fon Davis (set builder, assistant art director), Kirk Scott (production assistant, stage manager), and Jorgen Klubien (storyboard artist) share their...
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56: Science of The Acolyte at Los Angeles Comic Con
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk about all things Acolyte at Los Angeles Comic Con! We headed to LA Comic Con and talked about The Acolyte! Ecologist Sawyer Markham weighed in on all the critters! Planetary scientist Michaela Leung tells us about Brendok, Khofar, and that unknown planet! Dr. Drea Letamendi delves into the psychology! And James makes sure we're all up on the Star Wars lore (and there's a lot!). Thanks to all who came out to see us in person and to LACC for having us. Show Links: Follow Sawyer on , , and . Follow and her podcast The Arkham Sessions. You...
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55: Space Travel
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk space travel with a NASA project support specialist! At San Diego Comic-Con, James struck up a conversation with Johnathan Brendle at the NASA exhibit booth and he agreed to come on the podcast! We cover tons of space travel questions, including: What are hyperspace tunnels (purgill holes maybe?)? Do you need headlights in space? Is the Death Star basically a microwave? Show Links: Follow Johnny on and ! Learn more about NASA's and some of the projects Johnny mentioned, like the , . If you're interested in working at NASA, check out...
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54: Science of The Phantom Menace at the Fleet Science Center
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we take the show on the road to the local science center's dome theater to talk about the science of Episode I. The panel includes neuroscientist Ashley Juavinett, cell biologist Claire Meaders, paleontologist Gabriel-Philip Santos, and engineer Mike Tolley. We chat midi-chlorians (of course) and whether they've got a mind of their own. Does Jar Jar have a brain? Is Magneto a Jedi? Plus some wacky real science like arming cockroaches with canons and testing telepathy. Show Links: Watch the . that turns thoughts into verbal communication. Follow...
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53: Urban Ecology with Sawyeurism
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by Sawyer Markham to talk about urban ecology! Known as @Sawyeurism online, our expert this month breaks down her love of delving into the science of Star Wars, just like hosts James and Melissa. Sawyer talks the effects of urbanization and climate change on reptiles and amphibians and also shares some of her science education fun facts, like the Hutts having pouches like marsupials and why the son of Hera and Kanan has green hair. Above all, we learn that life finds a way! Show Links: Follow Sawyer as @sawyeurism on all platforms,...
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52: Marine Biology
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by Gabriel-Philip Santos to talk about marine biology! Star Warsologies dives deep into the marine biology of Star Wars. Think water planets like Mon Cala and Kamino. As Qui-Gon says, there's always a bigger fish! We answer such pressing questions as: Are those thicc thala-sirens evolutionarily viable? Are we all evolving into crabs? We did talk for a long time and yes, I did edit out some of Gabe's negative comments about porgs! Show Links: Follow Gabriel on and follow PBS Eons on and ! Follow Cosplay for Science on ! Listen to...
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51: Car Culture in Star Wars
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by the curator of the San Diego Automotive Museum and chat about ships, speeders, and other vehicles in Star Wars! What does the state of the Millennium Falcon say about Han Solo, especially since we know it was much nicer when Lando owned it? Why is it important that the Imperial and Rebel are so distinct from each other? Maria Romano de León answers these questions and shares insights about vehicles and culture throughout Star Wars, including a way to think about those shiny speeder bikes in Book of Boba Fett that annoyed so many fans....
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50: Environmental Apocalypse
Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we hear from an ornithologist about birds in Star Wars, along with invasive species and extinction events! Justin Hite joins us for this episode to chat about his career studying birds and the environmental chaos they put up with. We get into whether Rey was exposed to harmful chemicals during her years salvaging parts from downed Star Destroyers and of course all the devastation the Death Star wreaks. We also cover more cheerful topics like birds being tiny dinosaurs and . Being a group of 80s kids, we also talk about how great the show Ewoks is! Show...
info_outlineFaaaaaaaacts in Spaaaaaace! Melissa and Lisa welcome NASA JPL systems engineer Bobak Ferdowsi (aka the Mohawk Guy!) to chat about the pros and cons of launching a Pontiac Fiero into space. But that's not the only physics nonsense in this movie - there's also magnets, mines, and more! As Bobak eloquently states, the science of Fast & Furious movies are like La Croix - there may not be any real science in the movie but it seems like the creators saw some science at one point or another.
Learn more about the NISAR program Bobak is working!
Follow NASA on Twitter and Instagram!
Bobak is also (sometimes) on Twitter and Instagram.
Learn more about the NASA internship program!
Follow Melissa @melissatruth
Follow Lisa @dustchick
The Facts & The Furious is a podcast rewatch of the entire saga with Dr. Lisa Will (physicist) and Melissa Miller (science writer). We break down each movie of the saga with help from special guest experts. Remember, reality-based physics come and go, but family is forever!
Subscribe so you won't miss the rest of our rewatch!