<div>Former NASA astrophysicist Jeanne Cavelos examines the scientific possibility of the fantastical world of <i>Star Wars</i>. She explains to non-technical readers how the course of science might soon intersect with such fantasies as interstellar travel, robots capable of thought and emotion, habitable alien planets, bizarre intelligent life forms, high-tech weapons and spacecraft, and advanced psychokinetic abilities.<i> </i>She makes complex physics concepts, like quantum mechanics, wormholes, and Einstein's theory of relativity both fascinating and easy to comprehend<i>. The Science of Star Wars</i> does for Star Wars what Lawrence Krauss's bestselling <i>The Physics of Star Trek </i>did for the Star Trek universe. <br><br>Cavelos answers questions like:<br><br>* How might spaceships like the Millennium Falcon make the exhilarating jump into hyperspace?<br><br>* Could a single blast from the Death Star destroy an entire planet?<br><br>* How close are we to creating robots that look and act like C-3PO and R2-D2?<br><br>* Could light sabers possibly be built, and if so, how would they work?<br><br>* Do <i>Star Wars</i> aliens look like "real" aliens might?<br><br>* What kind of environment could spawn a Wookie?<br><br>* What would living on a desert planet like Tatooine be like?<br><br>* Why does Darth Vader require an artificial respirator?<br><br>* Can we access a "force" with our minds to move objects and communicate telepathically with each other?<br></div>