How exactly do starship shields work?

[Tribble puncher]

I was wondering if their was a good article explaining how shields work "in universe"

 

[C.E. Evans]

A simple explanation is they're a series of graviton and subspace fields that absorb energy (kinetic, disruptor, or otherwise) and prevents it from actually reaching (or breaching) the ship's hull.

Shields can lose power and even collapse if overwhelmed or if the ship's power supply is compromised.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

The general idea was published in Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, twenty years ago . However, I'd beware of ordering the book from amazon.com, as some of the reviews indicate problems with their edition (the formerly blue graphics are black, etc.) Best to verify it physically in a bookstore or buy the item on eBay.

 

[Unicron]

I'm not sure why there would be an issue with the original book itself, as AFAIK there was only the version published and no revisions. However, there is now a Kindle version, and I don't know if that has some of the issues you mention.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

I'm not sure why there would be an issue with the original book itself, as AFAIK there was only the version published and no revisions. However, there is now a Kindle version, and I don't know if that has some of the issues you mention.

See for yourself. It's not just the Kindle edition.

 

[Unicron]

Well, so far all of the comments regarding specific issues (the lack of blue labels and some of the graphics being misplaced) only occur in some of the electronic versions, and not the print version. Which doesn't surprise me, it just seemed odd that there were supposed problems with the original print edition. I did get a chuckle out of the reviewer who complained that the TM only covers the E-D and not the greater bulk of TNG.

 

[Boris Skrbic]

Nope.

This review is from: Star Trek The Next Generation: Technical Manual (Paperback)

A good compainion to the orginal tech manual-even though some of the print pages are not clear as the original copy...

This review is from: Star Trek The Next Generation: Technical Manual (Paperback)

The Good:

The information is well detailed

The Bad:

Only covers the Enterprise D and does not include much else. This is Star Trek The Next Generation Technical Manual and not Star Trek: Enterprise D Technical Manual. One would think that it would have technical information on most everything having to do with The Next Generation but this is not so.

The Ugly:

Except the cover the whole manual is in black and white. I see others here say the copy they got looked like it was printed using a 15 year old copy machine low on toner. Luckily mine only has bad spots here and there averaging one per every 10 pages.

This review is from: Star Trek The Next Generation: Technical Manual (Paperback)

I originally purchased this book in the early 1990s when it was first published. It is an awesome "reference" to the Star Trek: TNG technical world. Having lost the book in a move several years ago, I decided to purchase a new copy.

I wish I had read the reviews before I bought the book. The print quality is terrible, and indeed looks like it was done on a copy machine. The text is adequate quality, but the color is gone from highlights. Even worse, the wonderful color graphics are now simply terrible. They aren't blue either, so no longer can you call them "blueprints." No crisp lines, the previously fine details now run together. Graphics with text in them are almost unreadable.

This review is from: Star Trek The Next Generation: Technical Manual (Paperback)

I've had the TNG Technical Manual for years, but recently lost it in a move. So, I decided to buy a new copy.

What I received was NOT the same book I was replacing. The entire book is some sort of low quality photocopying job. There was no color in the edition I received, and the graphics looked like they were printed on a copier low on toner.

I don't reccomend that anybody buy this version. You'll probably have a better experience looking for a good condition used copy.

I'm sad and dissappointed, and will be asking for a refund.

 

[Unicron]

I stand corrected then. Amazon's usually been pretty good to me when it comes to finding older stuff, but I guess someone started making cheaper and crappier versions of the TM. Glad I still have mine in reasonably good condition.

 

[Tiberius]

Shields work using the plot device...

 

[Vanyel]

I always thought that the shields dont so much absorb the impact but spread it around the larger area of the shield bubble. Now that they've gone away from the bubble, I'm not sure. But I guess if the shield is just one meter above the ships hull that would provide extra surface area to spread the energy around.

 

[Tiberius]

They could take energy from the weapons and convert it to another form, such as light.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I always thought that the shields dont so much absorb the impact but spread it around the larger area of the shield bubble.

It's really the same thing, much in the way a bulletproof vest absorbs the impact of a bullet by dispersing it over a larger area of the vest.

Now that they've gone away from the bubble, I'm not sure. But I guess if the shield is just one meter above the ships hull that would provide extra surface area to spread the energy around.

It could be a case that the bubble still exists, but only the specific section that is actualy impacted is illuminated now while the rest of the shield remains invisible. That might be a result of a recent improvement in deflector shield technology that's more efficient or allows for a much quicker rate of energy dissipation.