# How did they aim Starkiller Base in SW:TFA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738 "2016-06-07T14:37:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/1 "2016-06-07T14:37:32Z")
It fires a straight beam across light years, right? It’s built into the planet, right? How the hell do they aim such a thing? > **[Starkiller Base](https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Starkiller_Base)** > > Starkiller Base was a First Order military base located on the ice planet of Ilum in the Unknown Regions. Commanded by an unofficial triumvirate of General Armitage Hux, Kylo Ren, and Captain Phasma, it was armed with a superweapon capable of... ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/2 "2016-06-07T14:41:59Z")
I figured they were homing missiles. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/3 "2016-06-07T14:56:34Z")
The Wiki sez: > [@](#): > > During this process, the dark energy transformed to a state known as “phantom energy”, and left the planet behind, tearing a hole through hyperspace along a perfectly linear path. I.e., SKB shot a beam of light. Which has to be aimed, right? So how did they aim the planet? It could be hand-waved away by arguing “well, since they’re shooting through Hyperspace, they don’t have to aim because of special physics, yadda blah yadda.” But if that’s the case, why bother designing it so it can be moved? Also, it seems to me that, in SW, hyperspace is co-directional in real space, which is why they lock onto coordinates and start flying to the target _prior_ to making the jump. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/4 "2016-06-07T17:22:05Z")
The follow up question is then: how does the beam split into multiple beams? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/5 "2016-06-07T17:29:08Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > The follow up question is then: how does the beam split into multiple beams? Disputes over royalties. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/6 "2016-06-07T17:31:11Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > The Wiki sez: > > I.e., SKB shot a beam of light. Which has to be aimed, right? So how did they aim the planet? > > It could be hand-waved away by arguing “well, since they’re shooting through Hyperspace, they don’t have to aim because of special physics, yadda blah yadda.” But if that’s the case, why bother designing it so it can be moved? Also, it seems to me that, in SW, hyperspace is co-directional in real space, which is why they lock onto coordinates and start flying to the target _prior_ to making the jump. Well, it only appears to get two shots per star, so it has to move to get to a new star every other shot. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/7 "2016-06-07T19:21:43Z")
It really is a stupid weapon, isn’t it? The Death Star is a perfectly fine weapon in comparison. I hope when I’m watching the movie again in 5,10 years, its stupidity doesn’t overwhelm the movie. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/8 "2016-06-07T20:23:40Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > Well, it only appears to get two shots per star, so it has to move to get to a new star every other shot. Well, yes, but you still have to \*aim \*the damned thing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/9 "2016-06-07T20:30:19Z")
If it has interstellar travel capability, I have to assume it can turn… ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/10 "2016-06-07T20:51:30Z")
I would think it may take more energy to overcome the inertia and turn the thing than what is stored in the… chamber of star energy… or whatever. Planets are heavy and inertia-ful things… ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/11 "2016-06-07T20:56:12Z")
So, let’s figure this out: …It needs energy to start to move from one star to another. …It needs energy to stop the planet at the destination star. (Just how long does this trip take, anyway?) … It needs energy to steer planet through space, dodging stuff. … It needs energy to orient the SK so that it’s aimed correctly … And it only gets two shots per star. Is that about right? Did anybody @ Disney think about this one? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/12 "2016-06-07T20:59:31Z")
It has the entire energy potential of a _ **star** _ to play around with. You’re confused that it can turn? What do you think it is, a locomotive? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/13 "2016-06-07T21:25:45Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So, let’s figure this out: > > …It needs energy to start to move from one star to another. > > …It needs energy to stop the planet at the destination star. (Just how long does this trip take, anyway?) > > … It needs energy to steer planet through space, dodging stuff. > > … It needs energy to orient the SK so that it’s aimed correctly > > … And it only gets two shots per star. > > Is that about right? Did anybody @ Disney think about this one? John, you’re trying to apply the laws of Physics to Star Wars…think about that a second. Star Trek at least mentions the laws of physics before cheerfully ignoring them; Star Wars couldn’t spell physics if you spotted them the p,h. and y. IMHO as always; YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/14 "2016-06-07T21:28:53Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > IMHO as always; YMMV. I call bullshit. You can’t spell “physics” with EITHER of those letter combinations; spotted p, h, and y notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/15 "2016-06-07T21:56:10Z")
Maybe they use the Force. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/16 "2016-06-07T22:02:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Maybe they use the Force. That’s _not_ how the Force works! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/17 "2016-06-07T22:04:28Z")
Like phase array radar: the multiple beams interfere/reinforce each other to create an aiming point at some angle away from directly above it. (We can actually do this!) ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/18 "2016-06-07T22:52:07Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It really is a stupid weapon, isn’t it? The Death Star is a perfectly fine weapon in comparison. > I hope when I’m watching the movie again in 5,10 years, its stupidity doesn’t overwhelm the movie. Too late. > [@JohnT](#): > > So, let’s figure this out: > > …It needs energy to start to move from one star to another. > > …It needs energy to stop the planet at the destination star. (Just how long does this trip take, anyway?) > > … It needs energy to steer planet through space, dodging stuff. > > … It needs energy to orient the SK so that it’s aimed correctly > > … And it only gets two shots per star. > > Is that about right? Did anybody @ Disney think about this one? Either nope, or they didn’t give a damn. Either way, the movie is dumber because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/19 "2016-06-07T23:07:53Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Like phase array radar: the multiple beams interfere/reinforce each other to create an aiming point at some angle away from directly above it. > > (We can actually do this!) Or like the half-dozen beams fired by the original Death Star, which combined & deflected to hit Alderaan. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/20 "2016-06-08T03:32:27Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > It has the entire energy potential of a _ **star** _ to play around with. You’re confused that it can turn? What do you think it is, a locomotive? But a star only gets you two shots, right? So if you use up the star as a weapon, where does the energy come from to move the planet? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738.md?page=2)