stardate

A stardate is a fictional dating system used in the Star Trek franchise. It is designed to represent the passage of time in a way that is consistent with the futuristic setting of the series. The exact method of calculating stardates has varied throughout the franchise, but it is generally understood to be a numerical system that increases over time.

The first stardate system was developed by Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, and was intended to be a linear progression that did not correspond to Earth's Gregorian calendar. This was to avoid dating the series too specifically and to give it a sense of timelessness. Early stardates were often presented with two digits before a decimal point, followed by a single digit after. For example, 1312.4.

Later iterations of the stardate system, particularly in Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequent series, became more complex, often featuring four digits before the decimal and a single digit after. This system was designed to better reflect the longer periods of time covered by the series. For instance, a stardate might appear as 41024.6.

While the specific numerical values of stardates are arbitrary and serve primarily as a narrative device, they are intended to convey the progression of time within the Star Trek universe. They are not meant to be directly translatable into Earth dates, although various fan communities and official sources have attempted to create conversion systems for illustrative purposes. The stardate system remains a distinctive element of the Star Trek lore.