The Science of Avatar
A professor of astrophysics blogging as "Copernicus" has graded Cameron on the science of the movie "AVATAR".
As a professor of physics who has worked on SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) programs and exoplanetology, Copernicus's detailed essay gives AVATAR a "B" for astrobiology (scale of the alien ecosystem), an A+ for astronomy (choice of star system and setting), an "A" for astrophysics (atmospheric features), but a marginal "fail" on physics due to the floating mountains. However, in an update Copernicus revises his physics grade with a explanation for the floating mountains based on the superconducting properties of "unobtainium", a mineral figuring prominently in the movie.
Additional sources on the science of AVATAR are the pandorapedia and A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora.
In other words, even a hardened scientist skeptic (like me) can find a lot to like in this movie!
As a professor of physics who has worked on SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) programs and exoplanetology, Copernicus's detailed essay gives AVATAR a "B" for astrobiology (scale of the alien ecosystem), an A+ for astronomy (choice of star system and setting), an "A" for astrophysics (atmospheric features), but a marginal "fail" on physics due to the floating mountains. However, in an update Copernicus revises his physics grade with a explanation for the floating mountains based on the superconducting properties of "unobtainium", a mineral figuring prominently in the movie.
Additional sources on the science of AVATAR are the pandorapedia and A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora.
In other words, even a hardened scientist skeptic (like me) can find a lot to like in this movie!
Labels: astrophysics, avatar, exobiology, exoplanetology, pandora, science fiction
posted by David J. Atkinson | 22:45
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