StarDate

The term "StarDate" is a chronological dating system used primarily in the Star Trek fictional universe. It is a continuous, arbitrary numerical scale designed to avoid specifying absolute dates that might become obsolete or irrelevant as the fictional timeline progressed. The intent was to represent the ongoing flow of time from the perspective of Starfleet personnel exploring the galaxy.

The exact method of calculating a StarDate is intentionally vague and inconsistent throughout the various Star Trek series and films. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, purposefully avoided defining a precise formula, preferring that the writers use StarDates as a narrative device rather than a rigid temporal marker.

While the exact calculations remain ambiguous, certain conventions and general guidelines are followed. Higher StarDate numbers generally indicate later points in the fictional timeline. Different Star Trek series typically have their own distinct StarDate ranges or starting points. For example, Star Trek: The Original Series uses StarDates in the 1300s to 5900s, while Star Trek: The Next Generation utilizes StarDates in the 40000s to 50000s.

The primary purpose of the StarDate system is to convey a sense of ongoing activity and provide a relative temporal context for events within the Star Trek narrative, without being tied to specific Earth calendar dates or needing to reconcile future real-world dates with established fictional events. The ambiguity inherent in the system allows writers flexibility in storytelling and prevents potential inconsistencies related to the passage of time within the fictional universe.