Science and Science Fiction: The Misjudged Twins

Many scientists regard science fiction (SF) as unscientific escapism, if not nonsense. SF enthusiasts, on the other hand, often confuse it with visions of the future. While much SF is indeed unscientific and not at all visionary, a significant proportion of SF authors have a scientific or technical background. Is this so because reading SF has sparked many adolescents' fascination with science? Some ideas from SF were indeed realized later or allegedly led to inventions such as the solar sail for space propulsion or the cellular phone. Is there a closer connection between science and SF than is generally considered? As far as physics is concerned, Prof. Peter Schattschneider shows by means of examples from famous authors and from his recent work that SF texts can be analyzed in a strictly scientific way. Some descriptions are amazingly meticulous, even in mathematical terms, while others are flawed. Such analysis is thought-provoking and provides surprising insight into physics at various levels from high school to graduates. These examples suggest an answer to the question posed earlier: The common element of the misjudged twins is probably the passion to explore envisioned realities. Peter Schattschneider is professor emeritus at the Vienna University of Technology. His research focuses on analytical electron microscopy. In parallel to his scientific work, he is author of SF stories and novels. Together with colleagues, he lectured for many years in Paris, Vienna and Beijing on the relationship between science and science fiction. Recent publication: Peter Schattschneider, Der Traum des Philosophen. Hirnkost Verlag 2024. SF stories (in German). https://www.tuwien.at/forschung/facilities/ustem/mitarbeiter/schattschneider/physik-der-science-fiction Peter Schattschneider is professor emeritus at the Vienna University of Technology. His research focuses on analytical electron microscopy. In parallel to his scientific work, he is author of SF stories and novels. Together with colleagues, he lectured for many years in Paris, Vienna and Beijing on the relationship between science and science fiction. Education  1987 Habilitation (venia docendi) in electron physics. Vienna University of Technology.  1977 M.Sc ( Mag. rer. nat.) Vienna University  1976 PhD (Dr. Techn.) Vienna University of Technology.  1973 M. Sc. (Dipl. Ing.) Vienna University of Technology  1974 Study: College teacher for physics and mathematics at Universität Wien. Employment as physics teacher at college (Municipality of Vienna). Awards 1981 Theodor-Körner-award für scientific work on the spectrometer. 1992 Kurd-Lasswitz Award (D) 1995 Kurd-Lasswitz Award (D) 2013 H. Rose Distinguished Lecturer award (German society for electron microscopy) Research Interests Trained in solid state physics. Specialisation in the theory of electron-matter interaction, materials science, electron microscopy. More than 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals (e.g. Nature, Physical Review Letters, etc.). About 60 invited talks at international conferences. Work experience  2006: Prof. Invité at CNRS, CEMES Toulouse  2001 – present: Associate professor at the Institute for Solid State Physics of Vienna University of Technology.  2000 – 2007: Head of the University Service Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy (USTEM) at Vienna University of Technology.  1993 – 2001: Associate professor at the Institute for Applied and Technical Physics of Vienna University of Technology.  1992 – 1993: Research professor at CNRS, École Centrale Paris  1988-1992: Associate professor at the Institute for Applied and Technical Physics of Vienna University of Technology.  1980 – 1988: Univ. Assistant at the Institute for Applied and Technical Physics of Vienna University of Technology  1978: Employment at Austroplan Inc., Vienna. (Engineering).  1976 – 1977: Employment at Spacetec Inc., Vienna. (Engineering).  1975 – present: Freelance writer: Popular articles on physics; novels.