Talk:Omega molecule

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference

'An Omega molecule would be so energetic that even a few molecules would, in theory, be able to power a whole civilization.'

For how long? This statement lacks prescision. --<unsigned>

Unfortunetly, we can't fix this statement, as that is all we know. Here is the episode quote:

JANEWAY: "Not just any molecule. The most powerful substance known to exist. A single Omega molecule contains the same energy as a warp core. In theory, a small chain of them could sustain a civilisation. The molecule was first synthesised over a hundred years ago, by a Starfleet physicist named Ketteract. I think he was hoping to develop an inexhaustible power source."

Janeway did not specify how long, so we cannot either. --OuroborosCobra ^talk 02:49, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

I interpreted "sustain" to mean "power indefinitely assuming the civilization doesn't expand too much." Of course, that still leaves open the question of what KIND of civilization. Gonk ^(Gonk!) 15:28, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

"...even a few Omega molecules could effectively end spacefaring travel in an entire quadrant or even the entire galaxy."

I don't recall the episode taking the destruction to the galactic scale (although I could be mistaken). I seem to remember Janeway commenting on the 200 million particles the alien civilization created and stated it could take out half the quadrant. Cygnis 05:46, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I just watched it, and she did say that a big enough number of omega particles could end interstellar travel across most or all of the galaxy. Gonk ^(Gonk!) 15:28, 4 June 2008 (UTC)