The Astrophysics of Sidespace: An Introductory Lecture
As presented to students of the Academy of Knights, Emperor Cyraxian’s Holy Empire (circa 635)
Cadet Knights, welcome to today’s introductory lecture on the astrophysical properties of Sidespace. In the vast reaches of the Empire, understanding Sidespace is essential to both our navigation and communication across the galaxy. This unique quantum realm offers extraordinary possibilities but also poses significant challenges.
Each of these topics will be expanded in later lectures in your Astrophysics program.
What is Sidespace?
Fundamental Concepts
· Parallel Existence: Sidespace exists in parallel with our normal space-time continuum, present everywhere in our universe.
· Ancient Origin: Unlike our current universe, which was created by the Big Bang under the guidance of the One True God, Sidespace existed before this event. It forms the quantum level into which our universe continues to expand.
· Quantum Structure: It operates at a distinct quantum level, suggesting a different set of physical laws and properties compared to regular space.
Characteristics of Sidespace
Quantum Medium and Drag
· Medium with Drag: Sidespace isn’t an empty void. It contains an unknown form of matter that creates drag, limiting the maximum speed of any object traveling within it.
· Navigational Challenges: This drag affects the FTL speed of spaceships encased in the “Bubble” (previously in error called the Alcubierre Bubble) and requires calculated “hops” due to disturbances near massive objects.
· Anomalies and Sinkholes: Known anomalies such as “sinkholes”—where our normal space-time bulges into Sidespace—add to the complexities of navigation, increasing the danger.
Layered Hypotheses
· Potential Layers: Imperial Scientists speculate that Sidespace may have multiple layers, each with unique properties and potential effects on travel speed and communication.
Sidespace Travel Mechanics
The Bubble
· Encasement in the Bubble: Spaceships enter Sidespace within a specialized Bubble, which protects them from the quantum environment and allows controlled FTL travel.
· Relativity-Free Travel: Unlike normal space, Sidespace travel is immune to relativistic effects, meaning that time passes consistently across the Empire in Sidespace, irrespective of travel speeds.
Dangers in Sidespace
· Gravitational Buckling: Stars, black holes, and other massive objects cause “buckling” in Sidespace, warping the medium. To avoid these distortions, ships must proceed in short, calculated hops.
· Lost Ships: Navigational missteps often lead to disappearances, as ships may be pulled into dangerous zones or affected by anomalies. Take careful note; this is the reason that excelling in Astrophysics is mandatory in order to graduate as a Knight of the Empire.
Communication through Sidespace
Ansibles and Communication Limits
· Ansibles: High-energy devices known as Ansibles are used to send communication signals across Sidespace. This process requires vast amounts of energy, especially when transmitting messages across the Empire.
· Instantaneous Reach: Thanks to the immunity from relativistic effects, communication in Sidespace can be transmitted in real-time, a significant advantage for the Empire’s operations.
· Unified Time Measurement: With its independence from relativistic time dilation, Sidespace allows the Empire to maintain a Standard Galactic Time, ensuring synchronized operations and coordination.
Key Points to Remember
· Parallel Quantum Realm: Sidespace is a distinct dimension, pre-existing our universe, and integral to our FTL travel and communication.
· Physical and Navigational Constraints: Ships require protective Bubbles for FTL travel and must navigate with caution due to gravitational and structural disturbances within Sidespace.
· Unified Communication System: Ansibles use Sidespace to transmit messages instantly, establishing Standard Galactic Time.
Conclusion
Sidespace represents one of the Empire’s greatest assets and and greatest challenges. While it offers remarkable capabilities for travel and communication, it requires disciplined study, strategic planning, and technological sophistication. Understanding its complexities will ensure that the Empire continues to expand and strengthen its hold across the galaxy—and that you will survive traversing Sidespace!
Thank you, Cadet Knights, and may your studies of Sidespace help advance the greatness of our Empire!
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Secret Codicil added to this copy by Telepath Scientists:
Telepathic Communication
Long-Distance Telepathy: Sidespace also serves as a medium for telepathic communication over vast distances, a skill primarily accessible to trained and powerful telepaths.
Consciousness Travel (Rare): In extraordinary cases, telepaths with exceptional power may even transport their consciousness through Sidespace, bypassing physical limitations to reach distant minds.
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