Category Archives: astrotropes

Astrotropes: Wormholes

Posted on February 25, 2018 by

Wormholes show up a lot in fiction, don’t they? I’ve seen the concept reiterated several times in various different ways, in everything from obscure sci fi novels to high budget movies. Which makes sense really, because it’s a compelling idea, … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, physics, Sci Fi

Astrotropes: Dangerous AI

Posted on February 9, 2018 by

This trope may not be particularly astro-related, but it’s nonetheless quite ubiquitous in science fiction, both in space and on Earth. For a long time, humans have daydreamed about the ability to create artificial intelligence (AI) which may be equal … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Astrotropes: Spaceship collisions

Posted on December 27, 2017 by

High above Earth, several United Federation starships are locked into a desperate battle against a Borg cube. On the bridge of his ship, Worf hears a grim damage report. His blood boils and he slams a console with furious fists. … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi | 3 Comments

Astrotropes: Surviving Space

Posted on December 22, 2017 by

Space, as a background, is a mainstay of sci fi. But space is hazarous, and if you’re to find yourself without air to breathe, that should probably be cause for alarm. Naturally, sci fi characters (much like real life astronauts) … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi, space | 2 Comments

Astrotropes: Ocean Planets

Posted on January 22, 2014 by

Ah, astrotropes. It’s been a while. So I’ve decided to delve back into the world of science fiction to see what truth may lie hidden between the laser blasts and epic space battles. The topic I’m examining this time? Ocean … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi | Tagged | 4 Comments

Do Not Feed the Aliens

Posted on September 14, 2012 by

I absolutely have to mention this. “Do Not Feed the Aliens” is an enchanting little short story, courtesy of my friend Ursula WJ. An excerpt… “I just wondering how the research was getting on. In a more general kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi | 1 Comment

Alien Planet – Full Documentary

Posted on August 18, 2012 by

For anyone who found my musings about Darwin IV in the Starfish Aliens astrotrope interesting, the whole Alien Planet documentary is available to watch on YouTube. It’s an hour and a half long though, so you may want to get … Continue reading →

Posted in astrobiology, astrotropes | 1 Comment

Astrotropes: Starfish Aliens

Posted on August 18, 2012 by

Inspired in no small way by recent ponderings at Centauri Dreams concerning how alien an alien might be, let’s continue the Astrotropes series with the concept of starfish aliens. In stark contrast with the humanoid aliens I looked at previously, … Continue reading →

Posted in astrobiology, astrotropes | 3 Comments

Astrotropes: Universal Time

Posted on August 12, 2012 by

Think of the biggest oversight you can in all of sci fi. One thing so fundamental to our daily lives that the idea doesn’t even register that it should be questioned. Unfortunately, it’s also the one thing which should literally … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes | Tagged | 1 Comment

Astrotropes: Desert Planets

Posted on August 11, 2012 by

From Star Wars to Pitch Black, Dune to Starship Troopers, the trope of the desert planet is widely recognised. So widely recognised, in fact, that all you really need to show in any sci fi offering is a single scene … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes | Tagged , | 1 Comment