Category Archives: astrotropes

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

Astrotropes: Space Battles part 2

Posted on July 18, 2012 by

In Space Battles part 1, I discussed the basics of how real life space combat might work and why the crew of a Battlestar would need to be good astronomers to get the upper hand on their opponents. In part … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, physics, space | 2 Comments

Astrotropes: Habitable Moons

Posted on July 14, 2012 by

The idea of habitable moons is, in my humble opinion, one of the most interesting science fiction tropes out there. And surprisingly, there’s nothing written on TV Tropes about them. I find this a little bizarre, because science fiction of all kinds … Continue reading →

Posted in art, astrotropes, Sci Fi | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Astrotropes: Humanoid Aliens

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

This trope is used all the time. It’s incredibly rare for it not to be used, in fact. And I must say, it’s one thing which I frequently find disappointing about sci fi. I am, of course, talking about the … Continue reading →

Posted in astrobiology, astrotropes, Sci Fi | 6 Comments

Astrotropes: Space Battles part 1

Posted on July 7, 2012 by

Space battles really are one of the coolest things in sci fi aren’t they? They’re the fast paced sections full of flashy lasers, awesome sound effects, explosions, cool space ships… They also make the scale of things seem that much … Continue reading →

Posted in astrotropes, Sci Fi, space | Tagged | 12 Comments