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A central premise of each of the incarnations of Battlestar Galactica has been the quest of the Colonial survivors for the planet Earth.
{{disline|For information on 1980's Earth depicted in the Dynamite Entertainment comics, see: [[Earth (1980 alternate)]].}}


The arrival of the Colonials at Earth, however, has only been depicted in one series, as of 2007.


[[Image:Cylonattack.jpg|thumb|left|Dr. Zee's simulation of a Cylon Attack on Los Angeles.]]
[[Image:Cylonattack.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Doctor Zee|Dr. Zee's]] simulation of a Cylon attack on Los Angeles.]]


In [[Galactica 1980]], the Earth was discovered, but, much to the dismay of Adama and the survivors, the humans on Earth were underdeveloped and would not be able to defend themselves from the Cylons. The short-lived series primarily depicted the central character's adventures on Earth's surface, including its past through a means of time-travel.
Thirty years after the [[Battle of Cimtar]], the [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet's]] quest to find the [[Thirteenth Tribe (TOS)|Thirteenth Colony]] of '''Earth''' becomes a reality.


==Settings on Earth==
Much to the dismay of [[Adama (1980)|Adama]] and his ''{{TOS|Galactica}}'' crew, their brother tribe on Earth was underdeveloped technologically in comparison to the destroyed worlds of the [[Twelve Colonies of Man]] and would not be able to defend themselves from any [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] encounters. At the time of their arrival, the year is 1980 CE


Most of the Earth scenes in Galactica 1980 took place in [[w:Southern California|Southern California]], with the main exception being the time travel sequence to [[w:Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]] (which still looked a lot like Southern California!) and the trip [[Troy]] and [[Dillon]] took to [[w:New York City|New York City]].
Adama and [[Doctor Zee]] map out a plan to accelerate Earth technology to aid in their defense with [[Warriors]] [[Troy (1980)|Troy]] and [[Dillon]] leading expeditions to the planet {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I}}.


The memorable attack of the Cylons on Los Angeles, as simulated by [[Doctor Zee]], focused particularly on Hollywood, which is seen with the destruction of the Capitol Records Building.
Unfortunately, in addition to chance encounters by Cylon patrols, a rogue [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum]] member, [[Xaviar]], attempts to force Earth's technology advances with more dramatic and destructive means.


==Galactica 1980 Earth vs. 'Real' Earth==
== Composition ==


There are several places where the Earth depicted in Galactica 1980 was dissimilar to the Earth as we know it.
Earth's composition is very much astonishing to the Colonials. According to Adama, Earth's "proximity to the sun provides the only climate in the galaxy comfortably able to support life as we know it." Furthermore, he explains that seven-tenths of the Earth is ocean, which astonishes the council members and the Warriors present, but assures them that there's "plenty of room for all our people."


UBC News - There was no such news organization in Los Angeles at the time denoted.
He further notes that the seven principal landmasses, two of which ([[w:Antartica|Antartica]] and the [[w:North Pole|North Pole]]) are polar ice caps, could be "easily reclaimed" by their technology ([[1980]]: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I]]" ).


Project Blue Book - Project Blue Book, a program of the United States Air Force to investigate UFOs, had long concluded by 1980.  In the Galactica 1980 universe, a very similar program is very much still active.
== Technology ==


Paradise Valley - There does not seem to be a valley in the viscinity of Los Angeles that would correspond to the setting of [[Super Scouts, Part One]] and [[Super Scouts, Part Two]].
[[Image:Nuclear degeneration equation.png|thumb|Mortinson's nuclear degeneration equation, after its correction by {{dis|Troy|1980}} ([[1980]]: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I]]").]]
 
At the time of 1980, nuclear power is a major concern on Earth, particularly due to the waste it generates. One of Earth's prominent nuclear physicists, Dr. [[Donald Mortinson]], has been working on a theory to dissolve nuclear wastes (i.e. nuclear degeneration, a theory that Colonials are taught, though most apparently understand) for three years prior to the Galacticans arrival.
 
As such, Troy and Dillon leave a "calling card" and correct the formula, which Mortinson recognizes as one from an intelligent extraterrestrial society ([[1980]]: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I]]").


==Notes==
==Notes==


There were hints in the Original Series that the Earth may be technologically advanced.  However, perhaps due to budgetary constraints in the sequel series, Earth was ulimately revealed to be the contemporary one.
*Most of the Earth scenes in ''Galactica 1980'' took place in [[w:Southern California|Southern California]], with the main exception of the time travel sequence to [[w:Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]] (which still looked a lot like Southern California) and the trip that Troy and Dillon take to [[New York City]].
 
*The memorable attack simulation by the Cylons, created by Doctor Zee, focuses particularly on Hollywood, as noted with the destruction of the [[w:Capitol Records#The Capitol Records Tower|Capitol Records Building]].  These scenes were recycled from the 1974 movie ''[[w:Earthquake (film)|Earthquake]]'', itself starring [[Lorne Greene]] ([[Adama (1980)|Adama]]).
 
*There were hints in the Original Series that Earth may be technologically advanced (e.g. [[Terra]], the [[Silent One]]'s drawing on [[Proteus]]).  However, perhaps due to budgetary constraints in the sequel series, Earth was ultimately revealed to be the contemporary one.
 
* In the ''[[Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)|Galactica Discovers Earth]]'' novelization, Zee posits that, even with Galactican assistance, it will take 8 to 9 centuries before Earth could develop technology to withstand the Cylons.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Resnick|first=Michael|authorlink=Michael Resnick|authorlinkurl=|year=1981|title=[[Battlestar Galactica 5: Galactica Discovers Earth]]|publisher=Berkley Books|location=|id=|pages=142}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Places on Earth (1980)|Locations on Earth visited by the Galacticans]]
 
== References ==


{{reflist}}


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Places (1980)]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Planets (1980)]]
[[Category:1980]]
[[Category:1980]]

Revision as of 14:55, 14 May 2021


Dr. Zee's simulation of a Cylon attack on Los Angeles.

Thirty years after the Battle of Cimtar, the Fleet's quest to find the Thirteenth Colony of Earth becomes a reality.

Much to the dismay of Adama and his Galactica crew, their brother tribe on Earth was underdeveloped technologically in comparison to the destroyed worlds of the Twelve Colonies of Man and would not be able to defend themselves from any Cylon encounters. At the time of their arrival, the year is 1980 CE

Adama and Doctor Zee map out a plan to accelerate Earth technology to aid in their defense with Warriors Troy and Dillon leading expeditions to the planet (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I").

Unfortunately, in addition to chance encounters by Cylon patrols, a rogue Quorum member, Xaviar, attempts to force Earth's technology advances with more dramatic and destructive means.

Composition[edit]

Earth's composition is very much astonishing to the Colonials. According to Adama, Earth's "proximity to the sun provides the only climate in the galaxy comfortably able to support life as we know it." Furthermore, he explains that seven-tenths of the Earth is ocean, which astonishes the council members and the Warriors present, but assures them that there's "plenty of room for all our people."

He further notes that the seven principal landmasses, two of which (Antartica and the North Pole) are polar ice caps, could be "easily reclaimed" by their technology (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I" ).

Technology[edit]

Mortinson's nuclear degeneration equation, after its correction by Troy (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I").

At the time of 1980, nuclear power is a major concern on Earth, particularly due to the waste it generates. One of Earth's prominent nuclear physicists, Dr. Donald Mortinson, has been working on a theory to dissolve nuclear wastes (i.e. nuclear degeneration, a theory that Colonials are taught, though most apparently understand) for three years prior to the Galacticans arrival.

As such, Troy and Dillon leave a "calling card" and correct the formula, which Mortinson recognizes as one from an intelligent extraterrestrial society (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I").

Notes[edit]

  • Most of the Earth scenes in Galactica 1980 took place in Southern California, with the main exception of the time travel sequence to Nazi Germany (which still looked a lot like Southern California) and the trip that Troy and Dillon take to New York City.
  • The memorable attack simulation by the Cylons, created by Doctor Zee, focuses particularly on Hollywood, as noted with the destruction of the Capitol Records Building. These scenes were recycled from the 1974 movie Earthquake, itself starring Lorne Greene (Adama).
  • There were hints in the Original Series that Earth may be technologically advanced (e.g. Terra, the Silent One's drawing on Proteus). However, perhaps due to budgetary constraints in the sequel series, Earth was ultimately revealed to be the contemporary one.
  • In the Galactica Discovers Earth novelization, Zee posits that, even with Galactican assistance, it will take 8 to 9 centuries before Earth could develop technology to withstand the Cylons.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]