# What star does the Klingon Homeworld orbit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817 "2004-08-27T17:27:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/21 "2004-08-28T07:04:58Z")
Sorry but no… the TNG scale is based on an actual formula of **s = w [sup]10[/sup]/[sub]3[/sub] c** if **w** is the warp factor, **s** is the speed in km per second, and **c** is the speed of light. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp\_speed#Warp\_velocities](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_speed#Warp_velocities) ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/22 "2004-08-28T15:07:04Z")
[QUOTE=Ethilrist] You asked for information about the sun. I gave you information about the sun. **Larsenmtl** gave you a map that had the planet’s name on it. Planets tend to be _fairly_ close to their suns, even in the Star Trek universe. 😉 So if the map tells me where the planet is (in some made-up fictional sense, obviously, 'cause it’s not a real planet) then that tells me where the planet’s sun is, too. > [@](#): > > It’s your choice which information better answered the question, of course. 😕 I didn’t ask a single question. I just wanted to know about the sun of the Klingon homeworld. You provided a name, and **larsonmtl** showed one interpretation of where it is in the Galaxy. The information you each provided was complimentary. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/23 "2004-08-28T15:16:43Z")
Thanks, **Chronos** and **Aesiron**. Both those figures are way too low. Using **Aesiron’s** formula, Warp 5 is s=16.7 c, so 4 days warp will only take you 0.17 lightyears. Insufficient! I didn’t really expect the Star Trek franchise to have this well thought-out, though, so I’m happy to have found the information that you’ve listed here. Thanks to everyone! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/24 "2004-08-28T15:29:07Z")
Can I just tell you how cute and nerdy you guys get when you talk about Star Trek? I’m all shivery inside. Do it some more. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/25 "2004-08-28T15:57:53Z")
At one time, Gene wanted to call the home planet/system/star “Kling.” Thankfully, they just left it un-named for quite some time. “Kling” is currently recognised by the Trek insiders as a district of the home planet, possibly the administrative center (like Washington DC). With their luck, it’s probably Eta Carinae. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/26 "2004-08-28T19:19:54Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > Thanks, **Chronos** and **Aesiron**. Both those figures are way too low. Using **Aesiron’s** formula, Warp 5 is s=16.7 c, so 4 days warp will only take you 0.17 lightyears. Insufficient! > > I didn’t really expect the Star Trek franchise to have this well thought-out, though, so I’m happy to have found the information that you’ve listed here. Thanks to everyone! Hm. The scale in the link says Warp 5 is 213.75c, not 16.7c. I might’ve transcribed the formula wrong or something… it’s a .jpeg on the link in my post, check it out to see if I didn’t do it right. I’m mathologically impaired. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/27 "2004-08-28T19:21:32Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > the TNG scale is based on an actual formula of **s = w [sup]10[/sup]/[sub]3[/sub] c** if **w** is the warp factor, **s** is the speed in km per second, and **c** is the speed of light. Not quite. At least, not entirely. First, a clarification: **10/3** is the exponent on **w** (this didn’t look very clear from the way you wrote it). So the formula is **s = w[sup]10 / 3[/sup] c** Also, it doesn’t make sense to specify the units of **s** unless you specify the units of **c**. If **c** is in km/s, then s is in km/s. If **c** is in miles/hr, then **s** is in miles/hr. So just saying **s = w[sup]10 / 3[/sup] c** is sufficient without any specification of units. However, these are minor nitpicks. The real problem here is you neglected to mention that this formula _only holds for warp factors less than or equal to nine!_ To quote from the very source you cited: > [@](#): > > After warp 9, the exponent increases toward infinity. There is no exact formula for this section because the quoted speeds are based on a hand-drawn curve. I’d have to agree with **Chronos** in calling this “a convoluted scale that doesn’t pretend to make sense.” ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/28 "2004-08-28T19:27:43Z")
Getting back to the OP, here’s another quote from that helpful Wikipedia entry: > [@](#): > > In general, the farther away a Star Trek show is in production date from the publish date of the Star Trek Technical Manual, the more likely a ship would be to travel at the “speed of plot”. For example, in Star Trek: Enterprise’s pilot episode they give a time and speed to Neptune that accords with the original series’ formula, but then they estimate a trip to the Klingon Homeworld at warp 5 as a four-day journey, placing it just one light-year away from Earth—far closer than the nearest stellar system, Alpha Centauri. So it looks like if you’re going by that “four days away at warp five” quote, then the answer is it couldn’t be any star. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/29 "2004-08-28T19:33:21Z")
Yes, after warp 9, it becomes needlesly confusing because Roddenberry wanted Warp 10 to be the absolute universal limit but anything below that still makes sense. And sorry for the fuzziness of the original post. As I said in my previous entry, I’m not well versed in mathematics at all and just posted what was on the site. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/30 "2004-08-28T19:40:49Z")
To clarify, I posted what was on the site because I knew there was an actual formula for figuring out the speeds involved. > [@tim314](#): > > Getting back to the OP, here’s another quote from that helpful Wikipedia entry: > > So it looks like if you’re going by that “four days away at warp five” quote, then the answer is it couldn’t be any star. True. TNG and DS9 tried their best to stay within the bounds of what Roddenberry set forth in his “Bible” (it was honestly called that) but he’s been dead for over a decade now and the franchise has been in the hands of Rick Berman, who doesn’t seem to care for the franchise as much as you would expect him to. Even though I am still a fan of Trek and watch Enterprise every week, the quality of its science, continuity, and storytelling can’t compare to the heyday of Trek in the mid to late nineties. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/31 "2004-08-30T13:26:55Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > I didn’t ask a single question. I just wanted to know about the sun of the Klingon homeworld. You provided a name, and larsonmtl showed one interpretation of where it is in the Galaxy. The information you each provided was complimentary. Ah. That makes sense, now. Sorry if I seemed excessively bristly. Carry on. > [@ivylass](#): > > Can I just tell you how cute and nerdy you guys get when you talk about Star Trek? > > I’m all shivery inside. Do it some more. :eek: Say, did I mention that I have a DMG in my desk at work today? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/32 "2004-08-30T16:01:26Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > :eek: > Say, did I mention that I have a DMG in my desk at work today? You think that’s something? I’m working on campaign notes for my Champions game as we speak! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/33 "2004-08-30T16:09:10Z")
Wow. I’m so nerdy that I didn’t even see **ivylass** ’s posting earlier. When in Trek Mode, apparently, flirting doesn’t even register. This is probably not a good thing… ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/34 "2004-08-30T16:20:50Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > You think that’s something? I’m working on campaign notes for my Champions game as we speak! Pfft. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to get my consciousness out of every insect on the planet, and back into my body. ( **Palladium Rifts** , with a smattering of **Champions** rules thrown in) Oh, and **ivylass** , I’ve got a big honkin’ tattoo of the Klingon emblem and three lines of Klingon script on my calf. My wife hates it, but it’s good to know there’s at least one woman out there who might like it. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/35 "2004-08-30T16:21:39Z")
Well, as Trekkies, it’s not like you, I, or anyone else in this thread has much experience with flirting except in its most abstract forms. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/36 "2004-08-30T16:32:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wow. I’m so nerdy that I didn’t even see **ivylass** ’s posting earlier. When in Trek Mode, apparently, flirting doesn’t even register. This is probably not a good thing… Well, don’t get so caught up in figuring warp speeds and how exactly wormholes work that you forget to have a little fun. Jeez, what would it take to grab your attention? Jeri Ryan in her post-Borg unitard?? Or would you still be arguing the benefits of matter/antimatter vs. forced quantum singularities as power sources? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/37 "2004-08-30T16:53:59Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > Pfft. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to get my consciousness out of every insect on the planet, and back into my body. ( **Palladium Rifts** , with a smattering of **Champions** rules thrown in) Okay, Mini-hijack. I mentioned this in another thread a little while back - but I’m actually working on taking the RIFTS setting and converting it entirely to the HERO 5th Edition system. I’ve built the MDC Body Armor, a few Disadvantages, and the core of the Magic system so far… ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/38 "2004-08-30T17:58:33Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Yes, after warp 9, it becomes needlesly confusing because Roddenberry wanted Warp 10 to be the absolute universal limit but anything below that still makes sense Only for TNG and later, where a ship at Warp 10 occupies every point in the universe simulataneously. In TOS speeds of up to Warp 14 IIRC were acheived, on another scale altogether by the Nomad device for one. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/39 "2004-08-30T22:18:10Z")
Okay, note to self…don’t try to flirt with fellow Trekkers or with gamers…they have one-track mind…got it. Oh, and **Dante** , what exactly does your tattoo say? And how could you marry a woman who does not appreciate the wonder that is Roddenberry’s creation?? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817/40 "2004-08-30T22:50:25Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Oh, and **Dante** , what exactly does your tattoo say? It says: To explore strange, new worlds To seek out new life, and new civilizations To boldly go where no man has gone before Check your Star Trek Encyclopedia for the section on various species’ writings. > [@ivylass](#): > > And how could you marry a woman who does not appreciate the wonder that is Roddenberry’s creation?? 😃 She’s got a couple of other, um, good, er… attributes?:eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-star-does-the-klingon-homeworld-orbit/261817.md?page=3)