Science specialty

[thesmiths4]

Astronomy should be added as a specialty to the Science skill. It's the study of stars and other bodies larger than planets, such as interstellar gas clouds, brown dwarfs, and black holes. With the correct sensors, it can be used to survey a system to find planets and asteroids, moons, comets, and determine their general characteristics and orbital parameters.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I agree.

 

[AndrewW]

I do have a character with Space Science (Cosmology).

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I have some with Political Science. Sophontology is always the first skill I replace.

 

[alex_greene]

I always maintain that Sophontology is merely Sociology extended to cover alien races as well as Humaniti.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

The list provided is a SAMPLE list, not a comprehensive list, so any specialties that make sense in the setting could be used.

 

[-Daniel-]

The list provided is a SAMPLE list, not a comprehensive list, so any specialties that make sense in the setting could be used.

Sort of like Languages? There are many languages not listed in the book, but I could have them on my skill list.

 

[thesmiths4]

Given there's no statement about other (non-listed) specialties, just one that says that there are many of them, I'd think it would be worthwhile to show the astronomy specialty to make sure people know it exists.

 

[grauenwolf]

Would astronomy and planetology be the same specialty?

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Would astronomy and planetology be the same specialty?

Only if planetology can also be used for studying things that are not planets, according to the rules.

 

[grauenwolf]

Would astronomy and planetology be the same specialty?

Only if planetology can also be used for studying things that are not planets, according to the rules.

My point is that astronomy is usually described as the study of both stars and planets. So it would be odd to choose planetology if astronomy already covers the same material.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Would astronomy and planetology be the same specialty?

Only if planetology can also be used for studying things that are not planets, according to the rules.

My point is that astronomy is usually described as the study of both stars and planets. So it would be odd to choose planetology if astronomy already covers the same material.

Astronomy normally does not cover studying how planets work.

 

[alex_greene]

I use Planetology as the logical extension of geology and the other Earth sciences to worlds beyond the Earth. Planetology would also extend to covering gas giants and planetoids, perhaps even bodies as small as comets and asteroids.

 

[grauenwolf]

Astronomy normally does not cover studying how planets work.

Then what's left? Astrogation already covers mapping the skies. Telescopes aren't interesting when you can just go there. The ships sensors should be able to calculate a sun's type, mass, and orbit.

I'm having trouble seeing how it would be useful in game terms.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Astronomy normally does not cover studying how planets work.

Then what's left? Astrogation already covers mapping the skies. Telescopes aren't interesting when you can just go there. The ships sensors should be able to calculate a sun's type, mass, and orbit.

I'm having trouble seeing how it would be useful in game terms.

Then what's left? I'm guessing we speak different native languages.

As a referee I would just add Astronomy to the game, rather than try to make an existing skill in the game do what astronomy would do.

I don't even remember what we were talking about. Whether it was adding, replacing, or removing a skill. Simple answer: If you're a referee, just use best practice methods.

 

[alex_greene]

Astronomy is defined here:-

the scientific study of the individual celestial bodies (excluding the earth) and of the universe as a whole. Its various branches include astrometry, astrodynamics, cosmology, and astrophysics

Astrometry:-

the branch of astronomy that deals with the measurement of the positions and motions of the celestial bodies

Astrophysics:-

the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties of celestial bodies and with the interaction between matter and radiation in the interior of celestial bodies and in interstellar space

Cosmology:-

the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin and general structure of the universe, with its parts, elements, and laws, and especially with such of its characteristics as space, time, causality, and the general structure and evolution of the universe

Astrodynamics:-

the science dealing with the paths of space vehicles

One speciality; many cascades.

 

[TrippyHippy]

Astronomy normally does not cover studying how planets work.

Then what's left? Astrogation already covers mapping the skies. Telescopes aren't interesting when you can just go there. The ships sensors should be able to calculate a sun's type, mass, and orbit.

I'm having trouble seeing how it would be useful in game terms.

Astronomy, or Astrophysics (specifically) covers the formation and lifespan of stars too, as well as determining the composition of them. It's a comprehensive science. Astrogation merely lets you map the stars.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Personally, I like a variation of the original Science Skills (all 4 of them) from MGT1.

Make it a Science skill with 4 specialties which were the original skills from MGT1:

Science (life) - All the biological sciences including xeno-biology
Science (physical) - Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, all that fun stuff
Science (social) - History, Sociology, Psychology, Psioncology (whatever) etc.
Science (space) - Astronomy, Cosmology, Planetology - probably also include geology etc.

No need to have Science (gas giant plasma flow) or Science (sylean underwater lifeform biochemistry).

It keeps the number of specialties down but also makes all of them useful (ish).

 

[-Daniel-]

Personally, I like a variation of the original Science Skills (all 4 of them) from MGT1.

Make it a Science skill with 4 specialties which were the original skills from MGT1:

Science (life) - All the biological sciences including xeno-biology
Science (physical) - Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, all that fun stuff
Science (social) - History, Sociology, Psychology, Psioncology (whatever) etc.
Science (space) - Astronomy, Cosmology, Planetology - probably also include geology etc.

No need to have Science (gas giant plasma flow) or Science (sylean underwater lifeform biochemistry).

It keeps the number of specialties down but also makes all of them useful (ish).

So my Scholar would have Science (Life)-2 and Science (Space)-1 for example?

 

[DickTurpin]

Personally, I like a variation of the original Science Skills (all 4 of them) from MGT1.

Make it a Science skill with 4 specialties which were the original skills from MGT1:

Science (life) - All the biological sciences including xeno-biology
Science (physical) - Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, all that fun stuff
Science (social) - History, Sociology, Psychology, Psioncology (whatever) etc.
Science (space) - Astronomy, Cosmology, Planetology - probably also include geology etc.

No need to have Science (gas giant plasma flow) or Science (sylean underwater lifeform biochemistry).

I like this idea.

It keeps the number of specialties down but also makes all of them useful (ish).