List of Scientific Inaccuracies in Halo
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This is a list of concepts in the Halo universe which are scientifically impossible. Though they may later be accounted for with more detailed explanations, there is currently not enough information to explain how they are possible.
[edit] FTL/Slipspace Travel & Communication
The possibility of getting around the light-speed limit is widely accepted as a gross violation of the laws of physics, for no causal influences can get around the light-speed limit. However, Halo like most space science fiction ignores this entirely and allows the spacecraft to go through Slipspace, which circumvents the nature of locality in the real universe. If this were possible, then causality would be broken, time travel paradoxes would result, and any attempt at predictive study and comprehension of the universe would be impossible.
It is actually impossible for an object in 3-Dimensional space to go into higher-dimensional space, for such a thing cannot move in those realms at all. The energy requirements for wormholes and the types of energy needed mark them as entirely non-physical in nature. FTL communications are also impossible, for information can only travel at the speed of light, and not any faster. A particle known as a tachyon can travel faster than the speed of light, but one particular thing about this particle is that it is a hypothetical, imaginary particle, imaginary as in the square root of a negative number.
Answer
It is an established trope of the genre that must be satisfied for popular consumption, given the structure of the Halo story itself. Bungie applied this and every other trope mentioned here out of artistic and gameplay design, just like many other examples of this genre. This is a common occurrence in science fiction, for expectations for how things are meant to be regardless of plausibility or realism.
[edit] Humanoid Aliens
Almost every sentient species present in the Halo story, save for the Huragok and Lekgolo, are humanoid and highly anthropomorphic in nature, behavior, and appearance. In the real universe, the likelihood of another species being humanoid or bipedal in the way aliens are usually portrayed is unlikely to the point of being effectively impossible. The lines of form and evolution on other worlds would be entirely different from that on Earth, so there should be no commonality between Humans and other sentient species beyond mildly analogous functions and making physical and biological sense.
Explanation
The reason why this was done is because of gameplay design, for Halo is an FPS. Another consideration is that this is an established trope of modern scifi orthodoxy that people expect to see, and so must be satisfied for popular consumption. Another factor is that aliens need to be understandable to the common audience, so aliens are excessively humanized to meet that requirement. also the races that the Forerunner managed to save on the Ark would all have to survive in an earthlike envronment. Other structures to store the rest were likely destroyed in the war.
The creationist argument explains this nicely (especialy since the fictional species in the series were created by Bungie artists) because one design could indicate One Designer.
[edit] Elite Mouth Structure
- Main article: mandibles
The signature mouth structure of Elites is not explained in detail, and is highly improbable to develop naturally. Elites have a strong upper jaw with four mandible-like structures serving as the sides of their mouths, but no lower jaw. This presents several major issues with the functionality of Elites, as a mouth without a lower jaw could likely not properly consume food, because anything put into it would simply fall through. However their tongue could be used to secure the food. This could only be explained if Elites did not eat food but only consumed liquids for sustenance, an idea that would also render the rows of sharp teeth in the Elite's mouth useless. Another explanation of this could be that the observed throat is actually the elite's oral cavity, with the jaws on the outside.
Finally, without a lower jaw, the Elite's throat is open and unguarded, and even the force of minor impacts on such an unguarded and essential orifice could prove fatal, a fact compounded by the fact that the open jaw would allow anything directly into an Elite's throat through the opening between the lower two mandibles. [1].
Explanation Their jaws could be appendages that tear off a sizable portion of meat to secure their share so they can consume it without the threat of it being stolen by others, features which could have evolved during their more primitive state. They might have a bony brace for the vulnerable mouth and might be able to use their tongue to cover their mouth opening. It is also possible that, like many currently living creatures, the flesh of the mandibles may in fact have lip like property that allow them to create a more impermeable seal for consuming fluids and small objects; however, more information would be required to draw any conclusive theories.
Of course, it is possible that the feature is the result of genetic tinkering, perhaps to make the Elites appear more threatening in battle. This is certainly within the technological capability of the Covenant, and should it be true, it is likely a food source was created for the Elites with their specialized mouthes.
[edit] The MAC Gun
- Main article: Magnetic Accelerator Cannon
In Halo Wars, an available weapon is to allow the UNSC Spirit of Fire to fire its MAC Gun at the surface of the planet, destroying larger enemies such as Scarab walkers. This weapon is demonstrated at the 9:30 mark of the game demo released in 2007. However, Halo: The Fall of Reach details that a standard shipboard MAC gun fires a 600-ton ferric-tungsten projectile with a depleted uranium core at four tenths the speed of light. This is approximately 120,000,000 kilometres per second, compared to the speed of light at 300,000,000 kilometres per second.
As seen in the Halo Wars 2007 Demo, the result is highly improbable. The gun's projectiles create large explosions and leave craters around 200 feet wide, destroying most objects in the area but causing little more damage to the surrounding area. This is a vast understatement of the power of such a collision. If a 600-ton object traveling at over 120 kilometres per second hit the surface of a planet, it would hit with a supersonic force many times the power of a Nuclear Weapon, causing an immense shockwave which would destroy everything for kilometres around. In theory, a crater left by such an impact would be miles deep, with the potential to penetrate the crust of the planet.
Explanation Considering the ship in question, this may not be a standard MAC, as the Spirit of Fire is not, by design, a warship; it is a colony ship refitted for logistical support operations against rebels, and would obviously not hold the same advantages in a straight-up fight as a ship constructed solely for combat operations. It is much more likely though that, for practical reasons, the true destructive force of the weapon is not implemented into the game.
[edit] Orbital Defense Platforms
The Orbital Defense Platforms are said to hold a geosynchronous orbit above a planetary location, like the city of Cairo. This term is used incorrectly, since an object in geosynchronous orbit does not continually hold position above a location. Instead, it returns to that location once a day at a certain time. Only objects in geostationary orbits continually orbit above a location. However, geostationary orbits can only exist directly above a planet's equator.
Also, a geosynchronous orbit must be at least 36,000 kilometers in altitude, and thus Earth should look quite small when viewed from an ODP, but in the level Cairo Station Earth looks to be far closer than it should.
It should also be noted that in Halo 2 the ODPs never appear to aim before firing their MACs. This is likely a gameplay limitation, since firing blind shots in space is absolutely futile. The only way such shots could realistically hit anything is if the target purposely moves into the path of the shot. More evidence which shows that ODPs can aim appears in the Halo 2 announcement trailer, where an unnamed general states; "I'm asking you to re-target the orbitals.". One must assume that the ODPs actually do aim themselves using altitude thrusters (such as the Space Shuttle) or gimballed reaction wheels (the Hubble Space Telescope), but at a rate too slow to be visualised effectively in Halo 2.
Explanation
Languages change over time perhaps "geosynchronous" has replaced "geostationary." Also instead of technicaly "orbiting" The Earth maybe it is flying around it at the correct speed to keep up with Cairo
[edit] Shockwaves in Space
In the Halo novels, a shockwave is reported to follow nuclear detonations in space. However, shockwaves are simply rapid pulses of compressed air particles. Since there are nowhere near the amount of particles in space as there are in an atmosphere, shockwaves cannot propagate.
[edit] Possible explanations for Shockwaves in Space
There are no acceptable expanations POSSIBLE, because concussion waves do not propagate through a vacuum. However a possible but unlikely explanation could be that the books were referring to a loose "wave" of solid debris from destroyed spacecraft. Since there is no friction or other resistance in space, such debris could potentially be accelerated to velocities where it would pose a serious hazard. However, such debris would spread out very quickly meaning that a vessel would have to be very close in order for the debris wave to pose any real threat. But if by a small chance a debris was to hit an unshielded ship, there is the possibility of it causing minor damage. This is very improbable due to the size of space and all the possible directions the debris could be "thrown" at.
[edit] Lasers in Space
Covenant laser weapons are frequently described within the novels as flashes of red or orange in space, streaking towards their targets. However, this would not be the case with a real laser weapon. Lasers are by definition beams of light which travel only in one direction. Therefore, the only way a weaponised laser beam could be observed is if it is firing at the observer.
It is likely that if parts of the beam touch transient matter, some of the photons would be scattered in all directions. However, since there is a near-universal absence of such matter in space, photons would only be scattered where the beam has hit its target. Even then, anyone observing the scattered photons would probably be blinded by their sheer intensity. Essentially, laser beams are not visible because there is no air in space; and there is no way to "see" a weaponised laser in space without being blinded by it. Therefore, it is likely that the term "laser" when applied to Covenant starship weapons is a misnomer, and they are probably a form of plasma or directed particle beam technology.
Even though light moves at the speed of light, the great distances between the target and origin allows the the laser to take some time before reaching its target, as in it takes an entire 1.3 seconds for light from the Moon to reach Earth when the Moon is only 380,000 km away. So depending on how far the laser is fired from, the effect might take a while. (although it would be impossible to see them and dodge before it reaches you as the light required to see takes the same amount of time)
[edit] Possible explanations for Lasers in Space
It is most likely that these "lasers" are actually made of plasma. But because of the intense heat needed to retain plasma, one would assume that the shots are as hot as a sun, which would cause more damage and leave more radiation than they are described to do.
[edit] "Energy" Items
It is common place in for certain items to be referred to as "energy" objects of either Forerunner or Covenant origin, be it energy projectiles, bridges or other. Energy describes a parameter of matter and light. Energy does not exist in a tangible form that can be observed directly, one can only observe its effects during interactions of matter, light, or both. Energy is like... happiness. Someone can have little happiness, or great hapiness. You can see its effects on that person. It can show itself as a smile, or maybe a tear and everything in between, but you can't see happiness outside the person that it belongs to.
The basic phases of matter are:
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gas (hydrogen)
- Ionic Plasma Spectrum (fire)
- Nuclear Plasma Spectrum (fusion reactor)
- Quark Plasma
- Preon Plasma
- Superstring
Note: there are more phases, but these exist only in special conditions that a change in temperature alone cannot achieve eg, Bose-Einstein condensate - a super cold liquid that behaves like a solid.
The term ionic plasma spectrum is used, because the ionisation process takes place over a range of quantised temperatures unlike a melting or boiling point. Similarly, the term nuclear plasma spectrum is used. When a nucleus is ionised, its oxidation number increases, the maximum extent is dependent on the temperature with the absolute limit being the atomic number. When a nucleus is fissioned, its mass number decreases, the maximum extent is dependent on the temperature with the absolute limit being a single nucleon.
In some cases used, however, the use of "energy" simply refers to Directed Energy, and is merely used to differentiate them from conventional technologies.
[edit] Projectile Trajectories
In the Halo trilogy, the Rocket Launcher, does not fall under the influence of gravity. Even with its high speed, it should fall some distance (acceleration*time^2)/2, which is basic kinematics and derived from calculus. The velocity plays no role. Also, if you aim at a target far away and it drops a vertical distance at the same time you fire, the rocket should still hit the object, because both fall with the same acceleration (GM/r^2) of the body in which the event is occurring. However, this assumes that the rocket is fired at a perfect tangent to the Earth's curvature. The rocket has it's own means of propulsion, which means that it would be far less affected by gravity.
The Sniper Rifle rounds do not propel themselves, so they should suffer from this problem. They do not, however, and the round flies straight and true, regardless of gravitational pull, humidity, temperature, wind speed, wind direction. Also, all sniper rifles' rounds fly in an arc fashion, rather than in a straight line. The gravitational pull pushes down on the round, so the sniper would have to adjust the pitch of his aim accordingly.
Also seen throughout the Halo trilogy, is the ability for bullets to ricochet off of certain surfaces at impossible angles. Bullets like that fired from the Halo: CE Sniper Rifle or the Halo:CE Assault Rifle were observed deflecting off of a Jackal's shield in trajectories that would not be possible. The amount of kinetic energy carried by a bullet would not be able to redirect at such drastic angles without the bullet completely falling apart, or even exploding from the extreme force of such a quick redirect of massive amounts of energy. The bullet would most likely fragment on impact.
[edit] Possible Explanations for Projectile Trajectories
Since most of the events in the Halo trilogy occur on one of the Installations, the Coriolis Effect may not come into play for projectiles fired. They may have an opposite effect as the main "atmospheric" part of the Halos are located on the inside of the ring. Besides, the Coriolis effect DOES NOT come into play at the ranges that so-called "snipers" engage each other in the Halo maps.
The bullets may not fragment because Energy shields may have a slight "bounce" to them. Also, many readers here would be surprised at the wierdness encountered once a lot of rounds and explosives get flying; sometimes weapon effects seem to fly in the face of all known physics, due to a minutely small variation or irregularity in the surface you're firing at. It is ENTIRELY possible (depending on the ammunition used) for a round, or a large piece of it, to ricochet back at nearly 180 degrees.
[edit] New Mombasa Orbital Elevator
- Main article: New Mombasa Orbital Elevator
A structure the size of the orbital elevator (excluding the tether) is impossible to remain standing under its own strength. From both a physicist's and engineer's perspective, the sheer mass of the superstructure would result in it imploding in on itself. Due to the downward pressure of the support structure increasing the further down you go, you would measure the pressure at ground level to be immensly large. Every material has a compression limit which is a measure of how much weight it can bear per unit of area before it is pulverized. If you increase the area over which thge weight acts upon, this limit will be increased as well. This is why skyscrapers are wider at ground level, so that the base of the building can cope with a higher amount of weight without collapsing.
Although the orbital elevator's base tower is wider at its base, it is not enough, the majority of the elevator is has a 90 degree gradient. The weight of the ring supports is not distributed over a large enough area on top of the tower. According to quantum physics, it is impossible for matter to exist that has a compression limit, high enough to withstand the enormous weight that it will experience in the proposed structure, and not catastrophically fail and implode in on itself.
The tether however, could be a feasible structure as it is presented. Even in real time advancements have been made towards creating a material strong enough for just such a tether.
Some have eroneously proposed that the orbital space station acts as a counter mass that would alleviate the weight problem that afflicts the tower. This is not posible, in order to make any considerable difference; the length of the tether has to be increased by an impractically large amount that could place it close to the Moon's orbit; or the mass of the station has to be extremely large. As well as this, the counter mass has the effect of increasing tension in the ring supports which weakens them even further.
[edit] Flood Mutation Speed
It is biologically impossible for a flood infection form to mutate its host at such an accelerated speed as what is shown in Halo 3. Such an extent of growth should take at least a day to occur even if mitosis and digestion of the host's body runs at the maximum rate.
[edit] Stealthy Prowlers
ONI prowlers are stealth ships designed to maintain absolute sensor and part optical invisibility. Although this concept is sound with a craft designed to operate on a planetary surface, it is severely flawed if applied to spacecraft. Interstellar space has an average temperature of just three degrees above absolute zero (0 Kelvin, or -273 Celsius), and so the heat radiated by spacecraft is easily detectable from great ranges. Even if a spacecraft's radar profile can be masked in a similar fashion to present day stealth aircraft, there is no known practical way to hide a spacecraft's heat profile, however low-powered that craft is.
UNSC ships use fusion reactors for power, which create vast amounts of power even if not powering engines. The energy used for life-support systems alone is visible at long ranges. Unless prowlers somehow convert their heat to a form undetectable by sensors (highly implausible, but possible if based on captured Covenant or Forerunner technology), this becomes a major scientific inaccuracy. Linked with this inaccuracy is the apparent lack of heat radiator panels or droplet sinks on all Halo spacecraft, meaning that their crews should be roasted to death within minutes of operation.
[edit] Bubble Shields
- Main article: Bubble Shields
All wavelengths of visible light can pass through a bubble shield, albeit somewhat distorted, including the color red. However, even though the Spartan Laser is a clearly visible beam of red light, the bubble shields seems to disperse the laser outright. This is a glaring scientific inaccuracy, because if the bubble shield actually did disperse visible light, then the occupants of the shield would not be able to see outside of it.
Other waves of red light reflected off the armor of Spartans seems to have no trouble making it's way through the shield. This may also explain the awesome power of the Spartan Laser -- in-game, the Spartan Laser can make quick work of a fully shielded Spartan, giving it the image of being a super powerful weapon. However, with this knowledge the spartan laser may actually be far weaker than previously thought. Logically, a Spartan's shields would not be able to deflect light, or else the Sparan would be blind. Since the Spartan Laser is a beam of light, then it would be able to pass directly through the shields.
[edit] References
- ↑ Halo 3, beginning of Sierra 117 (Level).
