ABRAMS' STAR TREK GETS NASA HELP ON IMAGES

[MattBrady]

by Clara Moskowitz

The out-of-this world visuals in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Trek movie will actually be based on science from our solar system. A NASA planetary scientist has joined the film's production team to ensure the scientific accuracy of the movie's astronomical scenes.

As the leader of the Imaging Science team on NASA'S Cassini mission at Saturn, Carolyn Porco has guided a crew of scientists and engineers responsible for illustrating the mission's results. Porco now will also work on the new Paramount Pictures film as a consultant on planetary science and imagery.

"This is a fabulous opportunity to bring to a wider audience the discoveries we've made at Saturn, and the spectacular sights we have seen there," Porco said. "And what better way to do that than to make use of those discoveries in the crafting of imagery for one of the most popular movie franchises of all time."

Porco was invited to join the Star Trek team by Abrams himself.

"Carolyn and her team have produced images that are simply stunning," Abrams said. "I'm thrilled that she will help guide our production in creating an authentic vision of space, one that immerses our audience in a visual experience as awe-inspiring as what Carolyn's cameras have captured."

Abrams was present at the 2007 TED conference in Monterey, California where Porco spoke of the recent findings from the Cassini mission.

Porco directs the Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS) at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, where Cassini images are processed for release to the public. (Cassini images of Saturn and its rings and moons can be found at the official imaging team Web site, http://ciclops.org )

Porco said she has made it her personal mission to produce images from the spacecraft, launched in October 1997, that are scientifically accurate, artfully presented and as true to life as possible.

"Ever since we departed Earth 10 years ago," said Porco, "I wanted the world to see and enjoy what the planetary bodies and phenomena imaged by our cameras would look like if one were there, going along for the ride."

Porco, a frequent commentator on science, astronomy and space exploration for television, radio and print media, is not new to film production. She served as a consultant on the Warner Bros. movie Contact starring Jodie Foster, and as scientific advisor and an animation director for the A&E television special on the 25th anniversary of the Voyager mission, Cosmic Journey, produced by Cosmos Studios and Norman Star Media.

Porco played a prominent role in the Voyager mission to the outer planets in the 1980s, and is also an imaging scientist on NASA's New Horizons mission, currently on its way to Pluto.

She has a space object named after her — the Asteroid (7231) Porco. It was designated in 1998 to honor her contributions to the exploration of the outer solar system.

On the new film, Porco will be working directly with Roger Guyett, the movie's supervisor for visual effects. Guyett has been a creative leader at George Lucas' visual effects firm, Industrial Light and Magic, since 1994, and has been visual effects director for such classics as Star Wars: Episode III, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Mission: Impossible III, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and more.

"Everybody is very excited about Carolyn's involvement in the film," said Guyett. "Her incredible knowledge and expertise is obviously something we're going to tap into. And the breathtaking imagery that she brings to the collaboration will inspire us all to create some awesome images for our movie!"

The original 1966-1969 television series Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry, and sparked a franchise on TV that encompasses 726 total episodes across six different series, including the original. The first 10 Star Trek films have grossed in excess of $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

Abrams’ Star Trek, currently being filmed, is scheduled for release in December 2008.

For more on Porco’s work, as well as images from Cassini, please visit Newsarama’s sister site, Space.com.

Related:

IDW Announces 2008 Star Trek Plans

Talking Star Trek With John Byrne

To Boldly Keep Going: Star Trek at IDW Publishing.

[HartyPotter]

I'm sorta surprised there wasn't more of these types of advisors beforehand. Sounds great though.

[OM]

...This isn't the first time. Jesco von Puttkammer was a consultant to Roddenberry for TMP, and Harvey Lynd of RAND also served in a similar capacity for the 1st season of TOS. Of course, what'll really cause the s'hit to hit the fans is when the NASA consultant points out that a star that canon has listed as a red giant is, in fact, a G2 or smaller, brighter star

[vbartilucci]

Originally Posted by OM

Of course, what'll really cause the s'hit to hit the fans is when the NASA consultant points out that a star that canon has listed as a red giant is, in fact, a G2 or smaller, brighter star

Well, NOW...but in a couple centuries after the Mcguffinoids have had time to play with the cosmos, it will be the right size, magnitude and class.

[Fan4Fan]

Originally Posted by OM

...This isn't the first time. Jesco von Puttkammer was a consultant to Roddenberry for TMP

Yes... I remember a press release that read much the same as this one when he came on board to get the the Trek tech more soundly based in science.

[samnoir]

Fun news, particularly given all the scientists out there that were inspired by the original Star Trek as kids.

There was a fun documentary out a while ago along the lines of "How William Shatner Saved the World" equating Star Trek's speculative scifi influencing real life technological breakthroughs.

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[Potatoeguru]

Originally Posted by HartyPotter

I'm sorta surprised there wasn't more of these types of advisors beforehand. Sounds great though.

Well, if you are talking in general, I direct you to ...

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/98/toyworkshop.html

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/98/crusade2.html

[hiphophead]

NASA is guessing too!!

They usually get it corrected, after the accident.

Everything about NASA is based on theory.

[beta-ray]

Dunno about originating from NASA but Trek (recent incarnations at least) always has a science consultant.

Hmn no representation of Engineering on that poster...