Project Stargazer Looks at Sci Fi's Impact on Science

The first panel of the Hollywood Black Film Festival's Project Stargazer (title: The Impact of Science Fiction on New Technology) was lots of fun as the panelists discussed everyday gadgets that had been developed based on NASA technology, dark matter and the role of science fiction in inspiring innovations.

NASA and JPL panelists included: Dr Karina Edmonds, Steve Collins, Fred Farina and Dr Randii Wessen

See below for panel summary:

Steve noted that scientists may be limited in their imagination to what we already know and that they need inspiration. Another panelist lay the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of writers and filmmakers, adding that "Science fiction imagines where we can go and inspires others to set about making it happen through scientific investigation."

Some examples of science fiction inspired science outlined by the panelists included:

• The computer in 2001 Space Odyssey - developing AI  in our computers
• The flip phone from Star Trek - cell phones of today
• Randii quipped, "They've got ion propulsion, Captain. They're years ahead of us!" to illustrate yet another fiction inspired invention that's now a reality. NASA has developed the ion propulsion first imagined in Star Trek through a program called Dawn.

And there's good reason to encourage scientists to break new ground, whenever NASA makes an innovation it's not long before we all benefit even if we never step foot on a shuttle. NASA space food was one of the foundations of 3D printed food. The geos image sensor, developed while designing imagers for space exploration at JPL, now occupies cell phones and DSLR cameras 20 years later. They're also used in medical imaging and robotic surgery, too.

Despite this, Randii geeked out with a factoid to illustrate how much further we still have to go in scientific exploration with this  tidbit - Our fastest shuttle travels 1 million miles in a day, but the closest star is X million miles away, which would take Y thousands of years to reach. We're only just learning to measure the distance to the stars, which would be through a unit called a "Micro arch second" with the use of a telescope we've only just learned how to build and still don't have the funding to actually construct.

An attendee asked about the accurate representation of technology in science fiction and whether inaccuracies in far flung science fictions distract the scientists from enjoying a film. Steve emphasized "self consistency" as key in maintaining believability, even if the science is far fetched. This means if you maintain the rules of the world you've created consistently, even a NASA scientist will suspend his or her disbelief.

Randii also noted that anything is possible if it doesn't break a scientific law, just because we haven't done something, doesn't mean we can't. As long as a technology featured in your film doesn't break a known scientific law, which Steve added is always shifting,  then that technology isn't impossible, "we just don't know how to do it yet." Fred added, "But it's best when it's on the edge of what's possible."

When asked how to find more opportunities to engage with academics for fact checking and ideas, a panelist suggested to check events at local universities for opportunities. In addition to the usuals, like CalTech and USC, other organizations to follow include:

Skeptic society
Griffith Observatory

Panelists also suggested that writers invite scientists to their parties!

"We love parties," one scientist quipped.

Here are some other noteworthy recent NASA developments the panelists shared:

• NASA athlete, a new all terrain vehicle that drives and walks.
• Europa, a newly recognized planet that has a freezing surface, a liquid water ocean under the ice cap, a gravitational pull and is deep enough that water far below the surface is warm and could support life. Turns out it was recently pitched as a show or movie concept:)
• More factoids from Randii: Rain drops slower on the moon. It takes 84 years to go around the sun on Urnus, where there are regular daylight hours at the equator, but 40 years of night and day at the top.

In addition to the science itself, Fred mentioned that there's also plenty of drama in the life of a scientist. Like many people, the panelist suggested, scientists deal with the same personal issues and traumas as everyone else.

It was an excellent and engaging panel with many gems and nuggets, hopefully some of the above will inspire you:)

Big shout out to Project Stargazer's visionary and organizer, Tony Chamblee!