Starburst (Farscape)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the science fiction television series Farscape, starburst is the primary means of superluminal propulsion - and sole defensive capability - of Leviathans, a race of sentient bio-mechanical ships.

A Leviathan enters starburst by energizing a matrix of sorts on its outer hull, beginning at the front of its body and going to the tips of its three tails that come together at their ends. Once the matrix has been completely energized, the ends of the three tails separate from one another, and the Leviathan enters the rift in space-time that opens ahead of it, which promptly seals itself as soon as the Leviathan is through. While in starburst, the Leviathan is "riding the seams between dimensions", essentially sliding around the outside of the universe to get to (roughly) its destination. Navigation is less of a science and more of an art, as one never knows exactly where one will come out when leaving starburst.

In Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars when a wormhole weapon was added to Moya, it was fired in a way that resembled entering starburst.