star trek stardate format

Screen Rant

Star trek: how stardates are calculated (& what they really mean).

The stardates used in the Star Trek franchise often seem like a jumble of numbers with no real meaning, but there is some method to the madness.

The stardate system used in the  Star Trek franchise can sometimes feel like a random selection of numbers, but there is some degree of meaning and calculation involved. When first devising and conceptualizing the futuristic world of  Star Trek , Gene Roddenberry decided that the advent of long-range space travel would necessitate a brand new way of measuring time, instead of the standard Gregorian calendar used in the real world. In 1988's  Inside Star Trek documentary, original series researcher, Kellam de Forest, revealed that he took inspiration from the 16th century Julian system, which has been implemented by astronomers ever since. Featuring a way of counting days, ignoring leap years and removing the AD and BC system, the Julian method formed the foundation for  Star Trek 's stardates.

The inspiration for the stardate system may have been simple enough, but applying it to the scripts proved far more complicated, and the exact correlation between  Star Trek  time and real-world time has changed throughout the various TV series and movie iterations. For the original  Star Trek series , the show's bible instructed writers to pick four numbers and a decimal, with the final digit roughly representing a tenth of a day. The example given is that if noon today was 1313.5, noon tomorrow would be 1314.5.

Related: The Odd-Numbered Star Trek Movie Curse Explained (& Is It True)

However, it's important to note that Roddenberry's initial system of dating was intentionally vague, with pilot episode writer, Samuel A. Peeples, revealing that the stardates weren't designed to be decipherable. Roddenberry was initially reluctant to pin  Star Trek  down to a specific time, so the stardate increments were uneven from episode to episode. Unfortunately,  Star Trek encountered a problem when the series first began to air - the network were showing the episodes out of order. This meant that while the stardates were originally supposed to increase as the series progressed, they actually fluctuated wildly. Roddenberry provided an in-narrative explanation for this phenomenon, claiming that stardates took into account the Enterprise 's speed and position in the galaxy, and therefore were relative to both space and time.

This somewhat clunky system was overhauled for  Star Trek: The Next Generation . As well as adding an extra digit,  The Next Generation 's writer's guide reveals that a more structured way of calculating stardates was implemented. The first number indicates the century (4 = 24th), the second number represents the season number (1 = season 1) and the following two digits would be largely random and vary with each episode, much like in the original  Star Trek series. The fifth digit functioned as a day counter, while, as in Roddenberry's original model, the decimal still represented a tenth of a day. This pattern was retained for both  Deep Space Nine and  Star Trek: Voyager .

When J. J. Abrams rebooted the  Star Trek movie series and splintered into the Kelvin timeline , a brand new dating system was introduced that bore a stronger resemblance to the real-world model. As revealed in the revised Star Trek Encyclopedia , the first two digits would represent century (22 = 23rd century), and the second two digits would calculate the year within that century. The 2009 movie also added more numbers after the decimal point, and these would indicate the day of the year. Therefore, 2235.78 would mean the 78th day of the 35th year of the 23rd century.

Beginning with  Star Trek: Discovery , CBS are now in the process of launching a whole new world of content set within the  Star Trek universe that will include  Star Trek: Picard and a Section 31 spinoff . Looking at the stardates used so far in Star Trek: Discovery , it appears that the franchise will come full circle, returning to the stardate system used in  Star Trek: The Original Series . However, with  Star Trek: Discovery  season 2 ending in the far future, the entire stardate system could become redundant when the show returns.

More: Star Trek: Discovery Makes A Bad Original Series Movie Better

Star Trek: Picard  is set to premiere in early 2020 on CBS All Access.

Sources:  Inside Star Trek ,  Gene Roddenberry: The Myth & The Man Behind Star Trek ,  The Making of Star Trek ,  Star Trek Encyclopedia

How Do Star Trek Stardates Work?

By chris higgins | sep 20, 2015.

On Star Trek , we hear a lot of "stardates," meant to mark some futuristic date. An example is stardate 47457.1, which is Captain Picard's birthday . The weird thing is that stardate 47457.1 is either the equivalent June 16th, November 4th, January 8th, or January 10th, depending on how you count. Let's go deep-nerd on this.

The Original Series

In the original Trek TV series, stardates were, in a word, bogus. In the series bible, the Star Trek Guide , writers were basically told to wing it. Here's a snippet (emphasis added):

Pick any combination of four numbers plus a percentage point [ed. note: tenths digit], use it as your story's stardate. For example, 1313.5 is twelve o'clock noon of one day and 1314.5 would be noon of the next day. Each percentage point is roughly equivalent to one-tenth of one day. The progression of stardates in your script should remain constant but don't worry about whether or not there is a progression from other scripts. Stardates are a mathematical formula which varies depending on location in the galaxy, velocity of travel, and other factors, can vary widely from episode to episode.

This obviously wasn't thought through very well, as it boils down to "Pick a number and stay near it." Show creator Gene Roddenberry later said:

When we began making episodes, we would use a stardate such as 2317 one week, and then a week later when we made the next episode we would move the star date up to 2942, and so on. Unfortunately, however, the episodes are not aired in the same order in which we filmed them. So we began to get complaints from the viewers, asking, "How come one week the star date is 2891, the next week it's 2337, and then the week after it's 3414?"

He then went on to explain that the whole "location in the galaxy, velocity of travel, and other factors" thing was a hedge to cover up the fact that the dates simply weren't consistent to begin with, even if the episodes had aired in order.

The Next Generation

In Star Trek: The Next Generation , things got a bit more consistent. In the original TNG Writer's/Director's Guide , the show-runners devised a sensible formula with a reasonable level of continuity. Here it is:

A stardate is a five-digit number followed by a decimal point and one more digit. Example: "41254.7." The first two digits of the stardate are always "41." The 4 stands for 24th century, the 1 indicates first season. The additional three leading digits will progress unevenly during the course of the season from 000 to 999. The digit following the decimal point is generally regarded as a day counter.

It's interesting to note, then, that the duration of a TNG season is 1,000 days. Good thing they were on a continuing mission rather than a five-year one.

Both Star Trek: Deep Space 9 and Star Trek: Voyager continued using the TNG style of Stardates, and the movie Star Trek Nemesis followed suit.

As you might expect, early on in TNG , the writers sometimes goofed. A prime example is Tasha Yar's death, which occurred circa Stardate 41601.3, but she was alive in a previous episode with the (later) Stardate 41997.7. Oops. By 1992, the writers had revised their guidelines to be iron-clad:

A Stardate is a five-digit number followed by a decimal point and one more digit. Example: "46254.7". The first two digits of the Stardate are "46." The 4 stands for the 24th Century, the 6 indicates sixth season. The following three digits will progress consecutively during the course of the season from 000 to 999. The digit following the decimal point counts tenths of a day. Stardate 45254.4, therefore, represents the noon hour on the 254th "day" of the fifth season. Because Stardates in the 24th Century are based on a complex mathematical formula, a precise correlation to Earth-based dating systems is not possible.

Despite explicitly stating that correlation to Earth-based dates is not possible, that hasn't stopped people from trying .

Just when things were basically making sense, they changed again. From an exhaustive and brilliant article on Memory Alpha , here's an explanation of the reboot (J.J. Abrams-directed) movies' treatment of stardates (emphasis added):

The stardate format from the latest film series is credited to screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. According to Orci, they "used the system where, for example, 2233.45 or whatever means 23rd century, 33rd year of that century, and the .45 indicates the day of the year out of 365 days." During a Q&A session, Orci restated that a stardate is "the year, as in 2233, with the month and day expressed as a decimal point from .1 to .365 (as in the 365 days of the year)." He posted a similar reply on Twitter: "star date=standard year, with decimal representing day of year from 1-365." The new stardates are similar to the ordinal dates of ISO 8601, which express the first day of 2260 as 2260-001, and the last as 2260-366. Orci hasn't clarified whether leap days increase the count to .366, which would be expected if the years are Gregorian. When asked about 2230.06 and 2233.04 from the Star Trek screenplay, with only one leading zero instead of two or none, he replied that it could have been an error. IDW's Star Trek: Timelines show the latter number as 2233.4.

Long Story Short

There is no one answer to how stardates work, aside from saying that they don't. They're inconsistent series-to-series, and even within a given series, the writers often mixed things up. With Roddenberry trying to retcon the system's continuity even in TOS , perhaps it's appropriate that the system continues to be more than a little mixed up. Time-tracking throughout the galaxy is a hard problem; give 'em some slack.

If you're curious about examples of various Stardates (and even more discussion of this issue), check out Memory Alpha 's stardate page . Trust me, once you've read that, you'll never want to speak of this subject again. If you do, read this page for a deeply unofficial (but supremely logical) system of decimal time. Oh, and don't forget the time the French made a 10-hour day —another attempt to create decimal time that led to total confusion.

Star Trek : Stardate Calculator

Tool will convert standard dates to stardates and vice versa.

• access_time Stardate Calculator Date YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM Calculate Stardate:
• date_range Date Calculator Stardate Calculate Date:

Twenty-fourth Century Stardates

Calculating calendar dates in the next generation, deep space nine, and voyager.

While there have been very few references to actual dates in more than 700 episodes of Star Trek , it is possible to derive a fairly accurate correlation between the fictional Stardate system and calendar dates in The Next Generation , Deep Space Nine , and Voyager , based on facts from actual episodes and some calendar math . Facts: Fact: The Next Generation episode "The Neutral Zone," with a Stardate of 41986.0, gave the calendar year as 2364 at the end of the first season . Fact: The Next Generation episode "Data's Day" took place during the Hindu Festival of Lights . The episode aired the week of January 9, 1991 (two and a half years after "The Neutral Zone"), with a Stardate of 44390.1. Fact: Diwali , the five-day Festival of Lights, starts on the New Moon ending the month of Asvina on the Hindu calendar, which typically is the date of the New Moon in India nearest to Halloween. Fact: According to the Calendar Mine 2.0 perpetual calendar, November 3 is the date of the New Moon and the start of Diwali in the year 2366 on Earth. Therefore, the Hindu Festival of Lights would be celebrated in a five-day period starting on November 3, 2366, and ending on November 7, 2366, so Stardate 44390.1 must be within that date span. Fact: The Next Generation episode "Data's Day" also states that Stardate 44390.1 is the 1,550th day since the U.S.S. Enterprise was commissioned. Fact: In The Next Generation episode "All Good Things..." Picard states that he first met Q seven years before Stardate 47988. Their first meeting was depicted on Stardate 41153.7 in "ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT." Fact: In the Voyager episode "EYE OF THE NEEDLE," Commander Chakotay states that the current year is 2371, with a Stardate of 48579.4. Fact: The Voyager episode "THE 37's" gave the calendar year as 2371 at the beginning of the second season, with a Stardate of 48975.1. Fact: In the Voyager episode "FUTURE'S END," information downloaded from the U.S.S. Voyager 's computer indicates that the Voyager was launched in the year 2371. The first episode of Voyager , "CARETAKER," took place on Stardate 48315.6. Fact: The date for the Voyager episode "11:59" was given as April 22, 2375. (No Stardate was given in the episode, but episodes airing before and after it had Stardates of 52647 and 52861.274.) Fact: The movie STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT showed that humans made first contact with Vulcans on April 5, 2063. Fact: In the Voyager episode "HOMESTEAD," the crew is celebrating the 315th anniversary of First Contact Day. The following day, a captain's log is recorded on Stardate 54868.6. Fact: An average Earth year comprises about 365.2422 mean solar days. Calculations: Given the above facts, a consistent Stardate system must incorporate the following dates: Stardate 41986.0 must be in the year 2364 ("The Neutral Zone"). Stardate 44390.1 must be between November 3, 2366, and November 7, 2366 ( "Data's Day" ). Stardate 47988 takes place seven years after Stardate 41153.7 ( "ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT," "All Good Things..." ). Stardate 48315.6 must be in the year 2371 ( "FUTURE'S END," "CARETAKER" ). Stardate 48579.4 must be in the year 2371 ( "EYE OF THE NEEDLE" ). Stardate 48975.1 must be in the year 2371 ( "THE 37's" ). April 22, 2375, takes place between Stardates 52647 and 52861.274 (assuming the episodes before and after "11:59" were in chronological order). Stardate 54868.6 is the day after First Contact Day, the 315th anniversary of April 5, 2063 ( "HOMESTEAD," ). Since The Next Generation episode "Data's Day" and the Voyager episode "HOMESTEAD" both make references to holidays with known dates, these two episodes can be used to establish a Stardate-to-time ratio. However, "Data's Day" (with a Stardate of 44390.1) could take place any time from November 3, 2366, to November 7, 2366, and it is unclear whether "HOMESTEAD" (with a Stardate 54868.6) takes place in the year 2378 or 2377, so that leaves a window of four possible calendar date spans for a definite span of 10478.5 Stardates. (54868.6 - 44390.1 = 10478.5 Stardates) If "Data's Day" took place on November 3, 2366, and "HOMESTEAD" took place on April 6, 2378, then that would give a span of 4,172 days. If "Data's Day" took place on November 7, 2366, and "HOMESTEAD" took place on April 6, 2378, then that would give a span of 4,168 days. If "Data's Day" took place on November 3, 2366, and "HOMESTEAD" took place on April 6, 2377, then that would give a span of 3,807 days. If "Data's Day" took place on November 7, 2366, and "HOMESTEAD" took place on April 6, 2377, then that would give a span of 3,803 days. Given the four possible date spans above, that leaves four possible Stardate-to-time ratios: 4,172 days = 10478.5 Stardates, giving a ratio of 0.39814859 day per Stardate, (4,172 days / 10478.5 Stardates = 0.39814859 day/Stardate) which gives a ratio of 917.351484 Stardates/year . (365.2422 days per year / 0.39814859 day per Stardate = 917.351484 Stardates/year) 4,168 days = 10478.5 Stardates, giving a ratio of 0.397766856 day per Stardate, (4,168 days / 10478.5 Stardates = 0.397766856 day/Stardate) which gives a ratio of 918.23186 Stardates/year . (365.2422 days per year / 0.397766856 day per Stardate = 918.23186 Stardates/year) 3,807 days = 10478.5 Stardates, giving a ratio of 0.36331536 day per Stardate, (3,807 days / 10478.5 Stardates = 0.36331536 day/Stardate) which gives a ratio of 1005.30349 Stardates/year . (365.2422 days per year / 0.36331536 day per Stardate = 1005.30349 Stardates/year) 3,803 days = 10478.5 Stardates, giving a ratio of 0.362933626 day per Stardate, (3,803 days / 10478.5 Stardates = 0.362933626 day/Stardate) which gives a ratio of 1006.36087 Stardates/year . (365.2422 days per year / 0.362933626 day per Stardate = 1006.36087 Stardates/year) If we apply each of the four possible Stardate ratios above to the known fact of the Voyager 's launch date in 2371, then we get the following results: Using the lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 917.351484 Stardates/year , that would mean that the launch of the Voyager on Stardate 48315.6 ( "CARETAKER" ) would be 6553.0 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48315.6 = 6553.0) which would be 2,609.06771 days before April 6, 2378, (0.39814859 day per Stardate x 6553.0 Stardates = 2,609.06771 days) which would mean that "CARETAKER" took place on February 13, 2371. This fits with the fact that the Voyager was launched in 2371 ( "FUTURE'S END" ). Using the second-lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 918.23186 Stardates/year , that would mean that the launch of the Voyager on Stardate 48315.6 ( "CARETAKER" ) would be 6553.0 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48315.6 = 6553.0) which would be 2,606.56621 days before April 6, 2378, (0.397766856 day per Stardate x 6553.0 Stardates = 2,606.56621 days) which would mean that "CARETAKER" took place on February 16, 2371. This fits with the fact that the Voyager was launched in 2371 ( "FUTURE'S END" ). Using the second-highest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 1005.30349 Stardates/year , that would mean that the launch of the Voyager on Stardate 48315.6 ( "CARETAKER" ) would be 6553.0 Stardates before April 6, 2377 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48315.6 = 6553.0) which would be 2,380.80555 days before April 6, 2377, (0.36331536 day per Stardate x 6553.0 Stardates = 2,380.80555 days) which would mean that "CARETAKER" took place on September 30, 2370. This does not fit with the fact that the Voyager was launched in 2371 ( "FUTURE'S END" ). Using the highest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 1006.36087 Stardates/year , that would mean that the launch of the Voyager on Stardate 48315.6 ( "CARETAKER" ) would be 6553.0 Stardates before April 6, 2377 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48315.6 = 6553.0) which would be 2,378.30405 days before April 6, 2377, (0.362933626 day per Stardate x 6553.0 Stardates = 2,378.30405 days) which would mean that "CARETAKER" took place on October 2, 2370. This does not fit with the fact that the Voyager was launched in 2371 ( "FUTURE'S END" ). Given the above results, we can discard possibilities 3 and 4, since they do not fit with a Voyager launch date of 2371. Since these were the only two options in which the episode "HOMESTEAD" took place in 2377, then we can conclude that "HOMESTEAD" must have taken place in April 2378, the 315th anniversary of first contact with Vulcans on April 5, 2063 ( STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT ). (2063 + 315 = 2378) Having proven that "HOMESTEAD" must have taken place in April 2378, then that means that the only possible Stardate-to-year ratios are between 917.351484 Stardates/year and 918.23186 Stardates/year . If we apply each of these ratios to the fact that Stardate 48975.1 must be in the year 2371 ( "THE 37's" ), we get the following results: Using the lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 917.351484 Stardates/year , that would mean that "THE 37's" (on Stardate 48975.1) would be 5893.5 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48975.1 = 5893.5) which would be 2,346.48872 days before April 6, 2378, (0.39814859 day per Stardate x 5893.5 Stardates = 2,346.48872 days) which would mean that "THE 37's" took place on November 3, 2371. This fits with the stated year of 2371 in "THE 37's" . Using the highest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 918.23186 Stardates/year , that would mean that "THE 37's" (on Stardate 48975.1) would be 5893.5 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 48975.1 = 5893.5) which would be 2,344.23897 days before April 6, 2378, (0.397766856 day per Stardate x 5893.5 Stardates = 2,344.23897 days) which would mean that "THE 37's" took place on November 5, 2371. This fits with the stated year of 2371 in "THE 37's" . If we apply each of the above ratios to the fact that Stardate 41986.0 must be in the year 2364 ("The Neutral Zone"), we get the following results: Using the lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 917.351484 Stardates/year , that would mean that TNG episode "The Neutral Zone" (on Stardate 41986.0) would be 12882.6 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 41986.0 = 12882.6) which would be 5,129.18903 days before April 6, 2378, (0.39814859 day per Stardate x 12882.6 Stardates = 5,129.18903 days) which would mean that "The Neutral Zone" took place on March 21, 2364. This fits with the stated year of 2364 in "The Neutral Zone." Using the highest possible Stardate-to-year ratio, 918.23186 Stardates/year ,that would mean that TNG episode "The Neutral Zone" (on Stardate 41986.0) would be 12882.6 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which had a Stardate of 54868.6, (54868.6 - 41986.0 = 12882.6) which would be 5,124.2713 days before April 6, 2378, (0.397766856 day per Stardate x 12882.6 Stardates = 5,124.2713 days) which would mean that "The Neutral Zone" took place on March 26, 2364. This fits with the stated year of 2364 in "The Neutral Zone." Conclusions: Given the above facts and calculations , we can conclude that: The Voyager episode "HOMESTEAD" (Stardate 54868.6) must have taken place on April 6, 2378. The highest possible Stardate-to-year ratio is 918.23186 Stardates per year (or 0.397766856 day to 1.0 Stardate , or 1.0 Stardate to 34,367.0564 seconds ). With the two above conclusions, it is possible to calculate a calendar date for any Stardate given in The Next Generation , Deep Space Nine , and Voyager . Given the date of Voyager episode "HOMESTEAD" (Stardate 54868.6) and a ratio of 918.23186 Stardates per year, it is now possible to calculate the starting point of The Next Generation Stardate system, i.e., Stardate 00000.0. Stardate 00000.0 would be 54868.6 Stardates before April 6, 2378 ( "HOMESTEAD" ), which, given the Stardate-to-year ratio established above, would be 21,824.9105 days before April 6, 2378. (0.397766856 day/Stardate x 54868.6 Stardates = 21,824.9105 days) Subtracting 21,824 days, 1,311 minutes, from April 6, 2378, calculates to Friday, July 5, 2318, around noon. So we can conclude that Stardate 00000.0 started on Friday, July 5, 2318 , around noon (Starfleet Command time).

Twenty-third Century Stardates

Calculating calendar dates in the original series.

During the run of The Original Series , there were few references to dates, nor even to the century in which the series took place. Furthermore, the Stardates used in The Original Series had a different starting point than The Next Generation Stardates, so it is impossible to directly extrapolate dates backwards from The Next Generation . However, there were sufficient references in The Next Generation to retroactively calculate dates in The Original Series , with a few additional Stardate facts from episodes of The Original Series , The Next Generation , and Voyager . Facts: Fact: In The Next Generation episode "Sarek," Captain Picard states that Ambassador Sarek is 202 years old. The episode takes place on Stardate 43917.4, which, according to the above calculations , would take place on Tuesday, May 3, 2366. Thus, for Picard's statement to be true on that date, Sarek would have been born between May 4, 2163 and May 3, 2164. Fact: In The Original Series episode "JOURNEY TO BABEL," Ambassador Sarek states that he is precisely 102.437 Earth years old on Stardate 3842.4. Based on the above range determined for the date of Sarek's birth, "JOURNEY TO BABEL" must have taken place between October 11, 2265, and October 9, 2266. Fact: The American Thanksgiving holiday typically is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Fact: In The Original Series episode "CHARLIE X," the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise is celebrating Thanksgiving. The given Stardates for this episode were 1533.6 and 1533.7. This is 2308.7 Stardates before Stardate 3842.4 in the episode "JOURNEY TO BABEL," which was determined above to have taken place between October 11, 2265, and October 9, 2266. (3842.4 - 1533.7 = 2308.7 Stardates) Fact: Captain Kirk's monologue in the opening titles of The Original Series established that the crew was on a five-year mission. The earliest Stardate in The Original Series was 1312.4 in "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE," and the latest Stardate was 5943.7 in "ALL OUR YESTERDAYS," a difference of 4631.3 Stardates. (5943.7 - 1312.4 = 4631.3 Stardates) Fact: If episodes of The Animated Series are also considered part of the original five-year mission, then the earliest Stardate was 1254.4 in the animated episode "THE MAGICKS OF MEGAS-TU," and the latest Stardate was 7403.6 in the animated episode "BEM," a difference of 6149.2 Stardates. (7403.6 - 1254.4 = 6149.2 Stardates) Fact: In the Voyager episode "Q2," Icheb states that Kirk completed his historic five-year mission in 2270. Therefore, all episodes of The Original Series must have taken place after January 1, 2265 (assuming it was exactly five years), and before January 1, 2271. Fact: In the episode "DAGGER OF THE MIND," on Stardate 2715.1, Dr. Helen Noel said she met Captain Kirk at the Science Lab Christmas party. Fact: Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25, and office Christmas parties are typically celebrated sometime in December. Given the possible date range for the five-year mission established in "Q2," the Christmas party referred to in "DAGGER OF THE MIND" must have taken place between December 2265 and December 2270. Calculations: Thanksgiving in "CHARLIE X" took place before the episode "JOURNEY TO BABEL" -- which, as determined above, took place between October 11, 2265, and October 9, 2266 -- and Thanksgiving in "CHARLIE X" must have taken place after January 1, 2265, given the end date of the five-year mission in "Q2." Therefore, the only possible date for "CHARLIE X" would be November 23, 2265 (which is the fourth Thursday of the month, according to the perpetual calendar ). If the Christmas party referred to in "DAGGER OF THE MIND" is assumed to be the same year as Thanksgiving in "CHARLIE X," then there would be at least a month between the two episodes, a difference of 1181.4 Stardates (giving a ratio of less than 1,000 Stardates per month). If the Christmas party were the following year, then the difference of 1181.4 Stardates would span at least a year (which would give a ratio of at least 1,000 Stardates per year). The Christmas party referred to could not be from the year before Thanksgiving in "CHARLIE X," since the possible date range for the five-year mission established in "Q2" dictates that the five-year mission did not begin before 2265. Having calculated above that Stardate 1533.7 is on November 23, 2265 ( "CHARLIE X," ), and that Stardate 3842.4 ( "JOURNEY TO BABEL" ) must be between October 11, 2265, and October 9, 2266, the maximum span between Stardates 1533.7 and 3842.4 (a difference of 2308.7 Stardates) can be no more than 320 days (or 0.876130962 year). Therefore, there must be at least 2635.10833 Stardates per year (or at least 7.21468749 Stardates per day). (2308.7 Stardates / 0.876130962 year = 2635.10833 Stardates/year) This means that Stardate 0000.0 -- 1533.7 Stardates before November 23, 2265, in "CHARLIE X" -- must have started 0.582025408 year (212.58024 days) before that episode. (1533.7 Stardates / 2635.10833 Stardates/year = 0.582025408 year) So, assuming the lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio of 2635.10833 Stardates per year, Stardate 0000.0 began on Tuesday, April 25, 2265, at 00:00 hours. (November 23, 2265 - 212.58024 days = April 25, 2265) Conclusions: Given the above facts and calculations , we can conclude that: Stardate 0000.0 began on Tuesday, April 25, 2265, at 00:00 hours. The lowest possible Stardate-to-year ratio is 2635.10833 Stardates per year (at least 7.21468749 Stardates per day , or less than 0.138606142 day per Stardate ). Therefore, in The Original Series , one Stardate is no more than 11,975,570.7 milliseconds (0.138606142 day = 11,975,570.7 milliseconds) Given the above starting point and the assumed ratio of 2635.10833 Stardates per year, it is possible to calculate the calendar date for any episode in The Original Series . For example, "DAGGER OF THE MIND," on Stardate 2715.1, would have taken place on May 6, 2266, just a few months after the Christmas party referred to in the episode. So the earliest Stardate in The Original Series -- 1312.4 in "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE" -- took place on October 23, 2265, and the latest Stardate -- 5943.7 in "ALL OUR YESTERDAYS" -- was on July 27, 2267. (The earliest Stardate in The Animated Series -- 1254.4 in "THE MAGICKS OF MEGAS-TU" -- would have taken place on October 15, 2265, and the latest Stardate -- 7403.6 in "BEM" -- would have taken place on February 15, 2268.)

Late Twenty-third Century Stardates

Calculating calendar dates in the movie series.

The first six Star Trek motion pictures continued the pattern of four-digit Stardates from The Original Series . However, it is clear that it is not a simple linear continuation of the same Stardate system. Therefore, either the time ratio of The Original Series Stardates changed mid-way through the original five-year mission and continued through the movies, or else the motion pictures use another Stardate system with a completely new starting point and different time ratio from The Original Series Stardates. Facts: Fact: In STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE , on Stardate 7410.2, Admiral James Kirk has been Chief of Starfleet Operations for the past two and a half years, and hasn't logged a single star hour in that time, since completing his five-year mission. So, based on the end date of the five-year mission established in "Q2," Stardate 7410.2 must be at least two and a half years after January 1, 2270. Fact: Since STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE , on Stardate 7410.2, takes place two and a half years after Captain Kirk's original five-year mission ended, then it must be at least two and a half years after the latest Stardate in The Original Series -- 5943.7 in "ALL OUR YESTERDAYS" -- a difference of 1466.5 Stardates. (7410.2 - 5943.7 = 1466.5 Stardates) Fact: If episodes of The Animated Series are also considered part of the original five-year mission, then STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE , on Stardate 7410.2, must take place at least two and a half years after the latest Stardate -- 7403.6 in the animated episode "BEM" -- a difference of 0006.6 Stardates. (7410.2 - 7403.6 = 0006.6 Stardates) Fact: In STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE , on Stardate 7410.2, V'ger is less than three days away from Earth. On Stardate 7414.1, V'ger reaches Earth, so a span of 0003.9 Stardates must be less than three days. (7414.1 - 7410.2 = 0003.9 Stardates) Fact: In STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN , the Project Genesis video proposal was recorded by Dr. Carol Marcus on Stardate 7130.4. After Stardate 8130.4, Admiral Kirk states that the tape was made "about a year ago." Fact: In STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN , on Stardate 8130.4, Khan has been stranded on Ceti Alpha Five for 15 years, since Stardate 3143.3 in the episode "SPACE SEED" -- which, according to The Original Series Stardate calculations above, would have taken place on July 4, 2266. Therefore, Stardate 8130.4 must take place after July 4, 2281 (assuming Khan is talking about Earth years and not Ceti Alpha Five years). Fact: In STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN , on Stardate 8130.3, Dr. McCoy gives Admiral Kirk a bottle of Romulan Ale (vintage 2283) for his birthday. Therefore, Stardate 8130.3 must take place after 2283 (assuming 2283 is an Earth year, and not a Romulan year or a Stardate). Fact: In STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK , around Stardate 8210.3, Starfleet Commander Morrow states that the U.S.S. Enterprise is twenty years old. An officer later refers to Uhura as a twenty-year space veteran. Fact: In STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK , the U.S.S. Enterprise flight recorder shows that Spock was dying from radiation poisoning after escaping the Genesis Device detonation on Stardate 8128.78. On Stardate 8128.77, Spock had just been exposed to radiation. Stardates 8128.76.00 to 8128.76.32 spanned a few seconds in which Spock performed a mind-meld with Dr. McCoy before entering the irradiated Engineering chamber. Fact: In STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME , on Stardate 8390, the U.S.S. Enterprise crew has been on Vulcan for three months (since just after Stardate 8210.3 in STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK ). Therefore, a span of 179.7 Stardates represents at least three months (8390 - 8210.3 = 179.7 Stardates) , so 718.8 Stardates would span at least 12 months (179.7 Stardates/3 months x 4/4 = 718.8 Stardates/12 months) . Fact: In STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER , on Stardate 8454.1, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A has been under repairs for at least three weeks. The starship was first seen sometime after Stardate 8390 in STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME , so there must be at least a month in the span of 64.1 Stardates (8454.1 - 8390 = 64.1 Stardates) ; therefore, there must be at least a year in a span of 769.2 Stardates (64.1 Stardates x 12 = 769.2 Stardates) . Fact: In STAR TREK VI: The Undiscovered Country , on Stardate 9521.6, the U.S.S. Excelsior detected the destruction of the Klingon moon Praxis, three years after Captain Sulu took command. Two months later, Starfleet Command sends the U.S.S. Enterprise on a diplomatic mission, and Captain Kirk records a log entry on Stardate 9522.6. A few days later, Captain Kirk records his final log entry on Stardate 9529.1. Therefore, a span of 1.0 Stardate is at least two months. (9522.6 - 9521.6 = 1.0 Stardate) . Fact: In STAR TREK VI: The Undiscovered Country , after Stardate 9522.6, McCoy states that he has been ship's surgeon aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for 27 years. Fact: In the Voyager episode "FLASHBACK," after Stardate 50126.4, Tuvok states that his first deep space assignment aboard the U.S.S. Excelsior , on Stardate 9521, was approximately 80 years ago, when he was 29 years old. Given the assumed date of Tuvok's birth on October 14, 2266, then Stardate 9521 must be at least 29 years after October 14, 2266. However, this conflicts with McCoy's statement that he has been aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for only 27 years, since his earliest appearance, on Stardate 1512.2 in "THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER," was almost a year before Tuvok's birth .

Star Trek XI-XII Stardates

Calculating calendar dates in the latest movie.

Fact: In STAR TREK , on Stardate 2258.42, Ambassador Spock states that Stardate 2387 is about 129 years in the future, and Stardate 2233.04 is about 25 years in the past. (2387 - 2258.42 = 128.58 Stardates) , (2258.42 - 2233.04 = 25.38 Stardates) . Fact: An average Earth year comprises about 365.2422 mean solar days. Therefore, each 100th of a year would be 3.652422 days. (1 year / 100 = 365.2422 days / 100 = 3.652422 days) . Fact: In STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS , Stardate 2259.55 is approximately one year later than the events in the previous movie (whose Stardate was 2258.42). . Conclusion: The new STAR TREK film appears to use a ratio of one Stardate per year; more specifically, the Stardates in the film are consistent with the actual Earth calendar years expressed with two decimal places (presumably representing hundredths of the calendar year). These new Stardates are used to express calendar dates both before The Original Series Stardates and after The Next Generation Stardates . Using this information, and the above TNG Stardate Calculator and TOS Stardate Calculator , these new Stardates can be compared with calendar dates from both The Original Series and The Next Generation . For example, Ambassador Spock's given Stardate of 2387 in STAR TREK would take place about eight years after the latest known TNG Stardate in STAR TREK: NEMESIS , whose given Stardate of 56844.9 would be around March 29, 2379, according to the above TNG Stardate Calculator . Also, the given Stardate of 2258.42 in STAR TREK , when James Kirk is around 25 years old, would take place about seven years before the earliest Stardate in The Original Series , 1312.4 in "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE," which would be around October 24, 2265, according to the above TOS Stardate Calculator . Kirk's birth on Stardate 2233.04 depicted in STAR TREK would be around January 15, 2233 , assuming Stardate 2233.00 corresponds with 00:00 hours on January 1, 2233. (00:00 January 1, 2233 + 0.04 x 365.2422 days = 00:00 January 1, 2233 + 14.609688 days) . Given Kirk's birth date of January 15, 2233 (assuming his birth date in the alternate universe depicted in STAR TREK was the same as, or close to, his birth date in The Original Series ), his exact age can now be calculated for any Stardate given in an episode of The Original Series . In addition, in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN , Admiral Kirk is celebrating his birthday on Stardate 8130.3 when Dr. McCoy gives him a bottle of Romulan Ale (vintage 2283). Therefore, Stardate 8130.3 (in The Movie Series Stardate system ) must take place around January 15 in some year after 2283 (or a few weeks after January 15, if it is assumed that the alternate events depicted in STAR TREK caused Kirk to be born prematurely).

Date inconsistencies in episodes

While the episodes and assumptions cited above present a fairly accurate and consistent theory for calculating Stardates, there are many other date references -- mostly vague references to years -- that conflict with that theory, though these exceptions do not clearly establish a more-consistent alternative theory, so they may be regarded as errors. Stardate-to-year ratios: In The Original Series episode "THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER" , the span between Stardate 1512.2 and Stardate 1513.8 is described as "18 hours." That is a difference of 1.6 Stardate units (1513.8 - 1512.2 = 1.6 Stardates) . If 1.6 Stardates are 18 hours, then 1 Stardate would equal 11.25 hours (18 hours / 1.6 Stardates = 11.25 hours/Stardate) , and 2.13333333333 Stardates would be one day (24 hours/day / 11.25 hours/Stardate = 2.13333333333 Stardates/day) , so 779.18336 Stardates would be about a year (2.13333333333 Stardates/day x 365.2422 days/year = 779.18336 Stardates/year) . Given the above calculations that there must be at least 2635.10833 Stardates per year (or at least 7.21468749 Stardates per day), the Stardates and hours stated in "THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER" are inconsistent with the overall progression of Stardates in The Original Series . In The Original Series episode "THE GAMESTERS OF TRISKELION" , the span between Stardate 3211.8 and Stardate 3259.2 is described as "nearly two hours." That is a difference of 47.4 Stardate units (3259.2 - 3211.8 = 47.4 Stardates) . If 47.4 Stardates are nearly two hours, then 568.8 Stardates would be nearly a day (47.4 Stardates/2 hours x 24 hours/day = 568.8 Stardates/day ) , and 207,749.76 Stardates would be nearly a year (568.8 Stardates/day x 365.2422 days/year = 207749.76 Stardates/year) . This is inconsistent with the slow progression of four-digit Stardates throughout The Original Series , demonstrating that Stardate spans shown within single episodes cannot be extrapolated to measure Stardates across multiple episodes. In The Next Generation episode " Pen Pals ," the Enterprise enters the Selcundi Drema Sector on Stardate 42695.3. On Stardate 42696.3, Lieutenant Commander Data picks up an alien radio signal. On Stardate 42737.3, Captain Picard states that it has been six weeks since the Enterprise entered the Selcundi Drema Sector. Shortly before Stardate 42741.3, Data says he picked up the alien transmission eight weeks ago. So there is a span of 42.0 Stardates in six weeks (42737.3 - 42695.3 = 42.0 Stardates) , for a ratio of about 7.0 Stardates per week, and a span of 45.0 Stardates in at least eight weeks (42741.3 - 42696.3 = 45.0 Stardates) , for a ratio of 5.625 Stardates per week. These ratios would extrapolate to about 1 Stardate per day, or between 292 and 365 Stardates per year . In The Next Generation episode "The Best of Both Worlds" Part II ," the battle between Starfleet and the Borg at Wolf 359 starts after Stardate 44001.4. and shortly before Stardate 44002.3. In the Deep Space Nine episode "EMISSARY," it was stated that Captain Picard was kidnapped by the Borg on Stardate 43997 for six days, during which he led an assault on Starfleet at Wolf 359, resulting in the death of Jennifer Sisko. Three years later, on Stardate 46379.1, Commander Sisko is reassigned to station Deep Space Nine in orbit of Bajor. So there is a span of about 2376.8 Stardates in three years (46379.1 - 44002.3 = 2376.8 Stardates) , for a ratio of about 792.266666667 Stardates per year (2376.8 Stardates / 3 years = 792.266666667 Stardates/year) . In the Deep Space Nine episode "SECOND SIGHT," on Stardate 47329.4, Commander Sisko records a personal log stating that the previous day was the fourth anniversary of the massacre at Wolf 359 and the death of Jennifer Sisko. So there is a span of about 3327.1 Stardates in four years (47329.4 - 44002.3 = 3327.1 Stardates) , for a ratio of about 831.775 Stardates per year (3327.1 Stardates / 4 years = 831.775 Stardates/year) . (It is unclear whether Sisko is describing Earth years or Bajoran years, since he is on a Bajoran station with 26 hours per day.) In the Voyager episode "RELATIVITY" , Seven of Nine states on Stardate 49123.5621 that the Voyager will be destroyed in three years, six months and two days, on Stardate 52861.274 -- a difference of 3737.7119 Stardates. This is a span of 1,280 to 1,282 days (3.504522888 to 3.509998705 years), depending on leap years and lengths of different months, giving a ratio of around 1,065 Stardates per year . In the Voyager episode "TIMELESS," Captain Janeway states that the Voyager has been in the Delta Quadrant for four years, two months, and 11 days. The following morning, around 08:00 hours, she records a log entry on Stardate 52143.6. In the Voyager episode "CARETAKER," the Voyager was brought to the Delta Quadrant three days before Stardate 48315.6 -- a difference of 3828.0 Stardates before "TIMELESS." Therefore, there is a span of 1,531 days (4.191737923 years) in a span of 3828.0 Stardates, giving a ratio of 913.225 Stardates per year . Between Day 65 and Day 70 of the Voyager episode "YEAR OF HELL," a captain's log was recorded on Stardate 51268.4 (May 5, 2374, according to the above calculations ), and Chakotay later mentions that it is May 20 (Captain Janeway's birthday). In "YEAR OF HELL, PART II," on Day 133 a captain's log is recorded on Stardate 51425.4 (July 6, 2374, according to the above calculations ). Between Day 207 and Day 257, Janeway mentions her birthday was "five months ago;" she later records a captain's log on Stardate 51682.2 (October 16, 2374, according to the above calculations ). On Day 1 after the timeline is restored, a captain's log is recorded on Stardate 51252.3 (April 28, 2374, according to the above calculations ). Therefore, there is a span of 16.1 Stardates in the first 64 days of the "YEAR OF HELL" (51268.4 - 51252.3 = 16.1 Stardates) , giving a ratio of 0.2515625 Stardate per day (16.1 Stardates / 64 days = 0.2515625 Stardate/day) , or 91.88 Stardates per year . The captain's log recorded between Day 207 and Day 257 would be 429.9 Stardates after Day 1 (51682.2 - 51252.3 = 429.9 Stardates) and at least "five months" or 413.8 Stardates after Day 65 (51682.2 - 51268.4 = 413.8 Stardates) . These date spans give a possible ratio of around 700 to 1,000 Stardates per year . The captain's log recorded on Stardate 51425.4 on Day 133 would be 173.1 Stardates after Stardate 51252.3 on Day 1 (51425.4 - 51252.3 = 173.1 Stardates) , giving a span of 173.1 Stardates in 132 days, or a ratio of 1.3113636364 Stardates per day (173.1 Stardates / 132 days = 1.3113636364 Stardates/day) , or 478.96533956 Stardates per year . In The Next Generation episode "The Naked Now," Data first uses his sexual techniques just after Stardate 41209.3 (May 22, 2363, according to the above calculations ). In STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT , a couple days after Stardate 50893.5 (December 7, 2373, according to the above calculations ), Data states that he last used his programming in sexual techniques eight years, seven months, sixteen days, four minutes, twenty-two seconds ago (which, according to the date calculator , would be a couple days after April 21, 2365, or after Stardate 42973, according to the above calculations ; this would place Data's last use of his programming in sexual techniques between the last two episodes in The Next Generation 's second season ). However, if Data used his programming in sexual techniques only twice -- in "The Naked Now" and STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT -- then the span of "eight years, seven months, sixteen days, four minutes, twenty-two seconds" (or 272,333,062 seconds) would be a little more than the span between Stardates 41209.3 and 50893.5 (9684.2 Stardates), giving a ratio of less than 9684.2 Stardates per 272,333,062 seconds (or 8.62989831 years), or less than 1122.16849517 Stardates per year . ( 9684.2 Stardates / 8.62989831 years = 1122.16849517 Stardates/year) (50893.5 - 41209.3 = 9684.2 Stardates) . That gives a ratio of more than 1122.5 Stardates per year (9684.2 Stardates / 8.6274 years = 1122.5 Stardates/year) . From and including: Wednesday, April 21, 2365 at 4:52:02 AM To, but not including : Friday, December 7, 2373 at 4:56:24 AM The duration is 3152 days, 0 hours, 4 minutes and 22 seconds Or 8 years, 7 months, 16 days, 4 minutes, 22 seconds Alternative time units 3152 days, 0 hours, 4 minutes and 22 seconds can be converted to one of these units: 272,333,062 seconds 4,538,884 minutes (rounded down) 75,648 hours (rounded down) 450 weeks (rounded down) From date: Friday, December 7, 2373 at 4:56:24 AM Subtracted 8 years, 7 months, 16 days, 4 minutes, 22 seconds Resulting date: Wednesday, April 21, 2365 at 4:52:02 AM (last used) May 22 2363 (first used) --> Given the wild inconsistencies of Stardate ratios in different episodes, some varying by a factor of ten, there can be no conclusive determination of an actual Stardate-to-year ratio for all episodes. Therefore, the ratio of 918.23186 Stardates per year , as calculated above , will remain the basic assumption upon which the above TNG Stardate Calculator is based. Tuvok's Birthday In the Voyager episode "EX POST FACTO," it is stated that Tuvok has been married for 67 years. In the Voyager episode "FLASHBACK," after Stardate 50126.4, Tuvok states that his first deep space assignment aboard the U.S.S. Excelsior , on Stardate 9521, was approximately 80 years ago, when he was 29 years old. In the episode "UNIMATRIX ZERO" PART II , it is stated that Tuvok was born on Vulcanis Lunar Colony on Stardate 38774. This last reference is clearly an error, since Stardate 38774 in The Next Generation system would be just three years before "The Neutral Zone" (41986.0), which gave the year as 2364 -- meaning Tuvok would be just 10 years old in Voyager 's first episode on Stardate 48315.6. It is likely that the decimal was left out of Tuvok's given birth date, and he was really born on Stardate 3877.4 (October 14, 2266, based on the above calculations ) in The Original Series Stardate system. This would place his birth just after The Original Series episode "JOURNEY TO BABEL" , which had a Stardate of 3842.3. Given a birth date of October 14, 2266, Tuvok would be about 106 years old on Stardate 50126.4 in "FLASHBACK," which would be on February 5, 2373, according to the above Stardate Calculator . As stated in "FLASHBACK," Tuvok was 29 years old on Stardate 9521, meaning that STAR TREK VI: The Undiscovered Country must have taken place within the year following October 14, 2295. However, in the episode "FURY," Captain Janeway celebrates Tuvok's birthday, stating it is not long before he reaches "the big three digits." The episode had no Stardate, but the episode before it took place on Stardate 53918, which would place it in the middle of 2377 (based on the above calculations ). If the statement "the big three digits" is taken to mean "100 Earth years," then this would mean that Tuvok would be born after 2277, making him 11 years younger than assumed above. But if "the big three digits" is taken to mean "111 Earth years" (three identical digits), that would be consistent with the above assumptions, since Tuvok would be born on October 14, 2266 (TOS Stardate 3877.4), making him 111 years old on October 14, 2377. This could mean that "FURY," (which had no Stardate) might be shown out of order, and actually took place on Tuvok's 110th birthday, October 14, 2376. (Of course, it is unclear whether Janeway's statement even refers to Earth years rather than Vulcan years, so the statement may not be inconsistent after all, since the duration of a Vulcan year has not been established.) In the Enterprise episode "AWAKENING," Minister Kuvak of the Vulcan High Command states that Earth and Vulcan have been allies for 100 years. The episode takes place in the middle of the year 2154, and apparently refers to first contact between Earth and Vulcans on April 5, 2063, a span of more than 91 Earth years. Since Vulcans are known to quote numbers with great precision, and the statement about 100 years was made between two Vulcans on the planet Vulcan with no humans present, it would be reasonable to assume they were describing the time span in Vulcan years. If so, then 100 Vulcan years is about 91 Earth years, so one Vulcan year would be about 0.91 Earth year. Therefore, Tuvok's age of 111 Earth years would be equivalent to about 121 Vulcan years, making Janeway's statement in "FURY" about him soon reaching "the big three digits" inaccurate in both Earth and Vulcan years.

Star Trek Stardate Calculator

About these tools.

These web-based tools can convert between calendar dates and Star Trek Stardates, and are useful for fan fiction writers or role-playing game (RPG) participants.

The calculations are based on prior work by Phillip L. Sublett of TrekGuide.com.

Calendar date to TNG Stardate

Tng stardate to calendar date, calendar date to tos stardate.

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TOS Stardate to Calendar date

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How to Calculate Stardates

Last Updated: September 23, 2023

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 62,391 times. Learn more...

Stardate is the dating system used in Star Trek. In the original series, they just made it up; so long as the next stardate was after the current stardate, it worked. Later on, it got a bit more serious.

Converting from Common Date to Stardate

Converting from Stardate to Common Date

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WELCOME TO STAR TREK CHRONOMETER

Welcome to the official website for the Star Trek Chronometer program. For many years, Star Trek fans have gone without a reliable, uniform Stardate Time System to refer to, a lot of time was spent researching, developing, receiving comments, and implementing this Stardate Time System. The system was designed for practical application with everyday use in mind, and Star Trek principles, traditions, appearances, and common sense were taken into consideration during the important developmental stages. The result of this hard work and research has produced what is easily the best Stardate Time System available, which not only provides Star Trek fans with a real implementation of Stardate times, but can also be used as a reliable time keeping device for real-life applications.

Essentially, the program is a clock that has the ability to display Stardate time, as well as Earth time, in interface themes based on the technology shown in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: The Original Series," and "Star Trek: Enterprise." It has four different window sizes, so the user can switch between Mini, Small, Big and Fullscreen displays. It can be used to convert Stardate time to Earth time, and back. To enhance the user's experience with the program, and to make each interface theme more realistic, different types of animations and sound effects appropriate to each era were used. The program also includes and makes use of canon Star Trek interface fonts. The settings are highly customizable, so that regular use can be tailored to each user's preferred window size, interface theme, and clock type preference using theme styled controls inside the program.

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Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2268

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In 2268 , numerous log entries were made on the Captain's log for the USS Enterprise . ( Star Trek: The Original Series )

• 2.1 The Second Mudd encounter
• 2.2 The Tribble incident
• 2.3 Planet 892-IV encounter
• 2.4 The Babel Conference
• 2.5 The Neural conflict
• 2.6 The Triskelion incident
• 2.7 The Farragut incident
• 2.8 The Giant Space Amoeba
• 2.9 The Kelvan incident
• 2.10 Mission to Arret
• 2.11 The M-5 Computer
• 2.12 The Exeter incident
• 2.13 Historical research of 20th century Earth
• 2.14 First Contact with the Melkotians
• 2.15 The Arranged Marriage on Troyius
• 2.16 The Preservers
• 2.17 Encounter with the Romulans
• 2.18 The Triacus incident
• 2.19 The Sigma Draconis incident
• 2.20 The Medeusan incident
• 2.21 The Minara incident
• 2.22 The Defiant incident
• 2.23 The Generational Ship, Yonada
• 2.24 Conflict with the Klingons
• 2.25 Distress call from Platonius
• 2.26 The Scalos incident
• 2.27 The Ariannus incident
• 2.28 Mission to Elba II
• 2.29 The Gideon incident
• 3 External link

Entrants [ ]

• Captain James T. Kirk

Entries [ ]

The second mudd encounter [ ].

• " Captain's log. Stardate 4513.3. After having been taken over by an android , the Enterprise has been under way at warp seven for four days. Now we are entering orbit around a planet which has never been charted. " ( TOS : " I, Mudd ")

The Tribble incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4523.3. Deep Space Station K-7 has issued a priority one call . More than an emergency, it signals near or total disaster. We can only assume the Klingons have attacked the station. We're going in armed for battle. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4524.2. A Klingon warship is hovering only 100 kilometers from Deep Space Station K-7 while its captain waits in the station manager 's office. Their intentions are unknown. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4525.6. A small disturbance between the Klingon crew and members of the Enterprise crew has broken out aboard Space Station K-7. I am forced to cancel shore leave for both ships. " ( TOS : " The Trouble with Tribbles ")

Planet 892-IV encounter [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4040.7. On the surface of planet IV , System 892 , the landing party has won the confidence of what obviously is a group of runaway slaves. They dwell in caves not far from a large city, wear rags, live under primitive conditions. But they are creatures of a heavily industrialized twentieth-century type planet very much like Earth . An amazing example of Hodgkins's Law of Parallel Planet Development . But on this Earth, Rome never fell. A world ruled by emperors who can trace their line back two thousand years to their own Julius and Augustus Caesars . "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4040.9. Uniformed police like those of Earth, a great city like Rome with automobiles. Astonishing similarities to 20th century Earth, down to the fine carbon steel in the bars. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4041.7. Note commendation, Engineering Officer Scott . Despite enormous temptation and strong personal feelings, he obeyed the Prime Directive . His temporary blackout of the city below resulted in no interference with the society and yet saved the lives of myself and the landing party. " ( TOS : " Bread and Circuses ")

The Babel Conference [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 3842.3. We have departed Vulcan for the neutral planetoid code-named Babel . Since it is in our sector, the Enterprise has been assigned to transport ambassadors of Federation planets to this vitally important council . The issues of the council are politically complex, the passengers… explosive. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 3842.4. The interplanetary conference will consider the petition of the Coridanite planets to be admitted to the Federation. The Coridan system has been claimed by some of the races now aboard our ship as delegates, races who have strong personal reasons for keeping Coridan out of the Federation. The most pressing problem aboard the Enterprise is to make sure that open warfare does not break out among the delegates, before the conference begins. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 3843.4. First Officer Spock in temporary command. The captain has been critically wounded by one of the delegates to the Babel conference. The ship is on alert status. We are still being followed by the intruder vessel . " ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ")

The Neural conflict [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4211.4. Keeping our presence here secret… is an enormous tactical advantage. Therefore, I cannot risk contact with Starfleet Command . I must take action on my own judgment. I've elected to violate orders… and make contact with planet inhabitants here. " ( TOS : " A Private Little War ")

The Triskelion incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 3211.7. We are entering standard orbit about Gamma II , an uninhabited planetoid with an automatic communications and astrogation station. Ensign Chekov , Lieutenant Uhura , and I will beam down and make a routine check of its facilities. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 3211.8. While beaming down from the Enterprise to inspect facilities on Gamma II, the normal transporter sequence has been interrupted, and we find ourselves on a strange and hostile planet, surrounded by creatures belonging to races scattered all through the galaxy . "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 3259.2. First Officer Spock in command. The captain, Lieutenant Uhura, and Ensign Chekov have been missing for nearly two hours. Computer probability projections are useless due to insufficient data. "
• " Captain's log, supplemental. Stardate… unknown. Our strange captivity continues. This planet is called Triskelion . We do not know its location. We do not know who controls it. Its dangers… are abundantly clear. " ( TOS : " The Gamesters of Triskelion ")

The Farragut incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 3619.2. With the mysterious death of two crewmen, all personnel on the planet have been evacuated back to the ship. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 3619.6. One of the men in critical condition, the other is dead. And I… I am now even more convinced that this is not only an intelligent creature, but the same which decimated the crew of the USS Farragut eleven years ago in another part of the galaxy. Both Spock and McCoy are doubtful of this, and I sense they also doubt my decision to stay and fight the thing. Why am I keeping the ship here? " ( TOS : " Obsession ")

The Giant Space Amoeba [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4307.1. Approaching Starbase 6 for a much needed period of rest and recreation. The crew has performed excellently, but is exhausted. And I, too, am looking forward to a nice period of rest on some lovely… planet. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4308.8. It is now 10 minutes since we entered the zone of darkness. We have stopped engines while we seek a defense against the energy drain which seems to pervade the zone. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4309.4. We have determined we can destroy the creature, provided we can do it from inside the organism. Spock clearly knew how to destroy it, but was unable to transmit that information. "
• " We have arrived at the chromosome body in the nucleus of the organism. If we should fail in our attempt to destroy it, or be unable to free ourselves, I wish to record my recommendations for the following personnel, that they receive special citation . Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, Officers Chekov , Kyle , Uhura , and my highest commendation for Commander Spock, science officer, who gave his life in the performance of his duty. " ( TOS : " The Immunity Syndrome ")

The Kelvan incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4657.5. Work is proceeding on the Enterprise as my crew is forced to make the required changes in the ship for intergalactic travel. I can't forget the picture of Yeoman Thompson , crushed to a handful of dust. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4658.9. With the Enterprise under control of the Kelvans , we are approaching the energy barrier at the edge of our galaxy. Spock and Scotty have devised a suicide plan to stop the Kelvans. They have rigged the ship to explode on my signal. " ( TOS : " By Any Other Name ")

Mission to Arret [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4768.3. The Enterprise is in orbit above a planet whose surface, our sensors tell us, is devoid of all life, a world destroyed and dead for at least a half a million years, yet from it comes a voice, the energy of pure thought, telling us something has survived here for those thousands of centuries. Since exploration and contact with alien intelligence is our primary mission, I've decided to risk the potential dangers and resume contact. Log entry out. " ( TOS : " Return to Tomorrow ")

The M-5 Computer [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4729.4. The M-5 multitronic unit has been installed on board ship, and we have left the space station for test maneuvers. "

During the course of the M-5 drill , Kirk requested from Spock an " evaluation of M-5 performance ", adding that " it'll be necessary for the log. " Spock opined, " The ship reacted more rapidly than Human control could have maneuvered her. Tactics, deployment of weapons, all indicate an immense sophistication in computer control. "

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4731.3. The M-5 multitronic unit has taken over total control of the Enterprise . " ( TOS : " The Ultimate Computer ")

The Exeter incident [ ]

• " Captain's log. Aboard the USS Exeter , commanded by Ron Tracey , one of the most experienced captains in the Starfleet. What could have happened to him, and the over 400 men and women who were on this ship? "
• " Captain's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has left the Exeter and has moved into close planet orbit. Although it appears the infection may strand us here the rest of our lives, I face an even more difficult problem – a growing belief that Captain Tracey has been interfering with the evolution of life on this planet. It seems impossible. A star captain's most solemn oath is that he will give his life, even his entire crew, rather than violate the Prime Directive. " ( TOS : " The Omega Glory ")

Historical research of 20th century Earth [ ]

• " Captain's log. Using the light-speed breakaway factor , the Enterprise has moved back through time to the 20th century . We are now in extended orbit around Earth , using our ship's deflector shields to remain unobserved. Our mission – historical research. We are monitoring Earth communications to find out how our planet survived desperate problems in the year… 1968 . "
• " Captain's log, supplemental. A man in a 20th century business suit – what is he? Not even Spock's Vulcan neck pinch could stop him. Without our phasers , he would have overpowered all five of us. I find it difficult to believe the mysterious Mr. Seven can be Human . And yet, suppose he is? "
• " Captain's log, supplemental. Spock and I in custody. Even if we'd talk, they wouldn't believe us. We're powerless to stop Mr. Seven or prevent the launch, or even be certain if we should. I have never felt so helpless. " ( TOS : " Assignment: Earth ")

First Contact with the Melkotians [ ]

• " Captain's Log, Stardate 4385.3. We have transported down to the Melkotian planet and have encountered conditions which are completely contrary to what we were prepared for. " ( TOS : " Spectre of the Gun ")

The Arranged Marriage on Troyius [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 4372.5. On a top secret diplomatic mission , the Enterprise has entered the Tellun star system . Maintaining communications blackout , we have taken aboard Petri , Ambassador from Troyius , the outer planet, and are now approaching the inner planet, Elas . " ( TOS : " Elaan of Troyius ")

The Preservers [ ]

• " Captain's log, stardate 4842.6. First Officer Spock commanding; numerous search parties and repeated sensor probes of the area have failed to locate Captain Kirk. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 4843.6. First Officer Spock commanding; we've been en route to the asteroid for several hours. Our delay on the planet 's surface has made it imperative that we proceed at maximum warp speed for a period which exceeds the recommended safety margin. " ( TOS : " The Paradise Syndrome ")

Encounter with the Romulans [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5027.4. Commander Scott has less than fifteen minutes to install the Romulan 's cloaking device, and get it working. I hope Mr. Spock can buy us the time we need. " ( TOS : " The Enterprise Incident ")

The Triacus incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5029.5. Responding to a distress call from our scientific colony on Triacus , we are beaming down to investigate. "
• " Captain's log, supplementary. We have buried the members of the Starnes Exploration Party . Everyone has been deeply affected by what has happened here, with some important exceptions. " ( TOS : " And the Children Shall Lead ")

The Sigma Draconis incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5431.4. For fifteen hours and twenty minutes we have been following the ion trail of the spaceship that has Spock's brain. Time left to us, eight hours and forty minutes. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5431.5. We are beaming down to a primitive glaciated planet in the Sigma Draconis star system . Time left to us to find Spock's brain, eight hours and twenty nine minutes. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5431.6. Immediately after making contact with Spock's brain, Doctor McCoy, Engineer Scott, and myself were taken prisoner inside a highly complex civilization hundreds of meters below the surface of planet Sigma Draconis Seven . The primitive creature we encountered above warned us about the givers of pain and delight and the frightening consequences of being captured by them. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5432.3. Doctor McCoy is proceeding to restore Spock's brain. Our problem, we do not know how long his increased surgical knowledge will stay with him. Any additional attempt to use the teaching device is impossible. It would kill my medical officer. "
• " Captain's log, supplemental. Our race against time to save Spock's life may prove futile. Doctor McCoy has lost the surgical knowledge he obtained from the teacher. He has been drawing on his own skills and surgical techniques in an attempt to continue the operation, but he is faltering and uncertain. In a desperate hope that he can draw on Spock's brain for assistance, I instructed Doctor McCoy to give priority to connecting Spock's vocal chords. " ( TOS : " Spock's Brain ")

The Medeusan incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5630.7. We have been assigned to convey the Medusans ' ambassador to the Federation back to their home planet. While the thoughts of the Medeusans are the most sublime in the galaxy, their physical appearance is exactly the opposite. They have evolved into a race of beings who are formless, so utterly hideous that the sight of a Medeusan brings total madness to any Human who sees one. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5630.8. As a result of Larry Marvick 's insane fears, the Enterprise lies derelict in uncharted space. We have no way to determine our position in relation to the galaxy. We are in a completely unknown void. "
• " Captain's log, supplementary. Our one chance to return to our own galaxy is dependent upon the navigational skills of the Medeusan ambassador. With that end in view, Kollos has been brought to the bridge and placed behind a protective shield. " ( TOS : " Is There in Truth No Beauty? ")

The Minara incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5121.5. Orbiting the second planet in the Minarian star system . This star has long given evidence of entering a nova phase and six months ago, a research station was established to make close-up studies of the star as its end approaches. Minara is now entering a critical period, and the Enterprise has been ordered to evacuate the station before the planet becomes uninhabitable. Yet our attempts to contact the station's personnel have been, so far, unsuccessful. " ( TOS : " The Empath ")

The Defiant incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5693.2. The Enterprise is approaching the last reported position of the starship Defiant , which vanished without trace three weeks ago. We are in unsurveyed territory. " ( TOS : " The Tholian Web ")

The Generational Ship, Yonada [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5476.3. I have just had the sad duty of informing Starfleet about Dr. McCoy's condition and have requested an immediate replacement. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5476.4. We are on a parallel course with Yonada . It is still on a collision course with Daran V . Our failure to correct its course, and the critical nature of Dr. McCoy's illness, made the extraordinary event of contact with Starfleet Command imperative. " ( TOS : " For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky ")

Conflict with the Klingons [ ]

• " …the Enterprise is heading out of our galaxy, controlled by a mysterious alien somewhere aboard the ship. Engineering has been taken over by Klingons who have cut off life support systems . "
• " Captain's log, Stardate… Armageddon . We must find a way to defeat the alien force of hate that has taken over the Enterprise , stop the war now, or spend eternity in futile, bloody violence. " ( TOS : " Day of the Dove ")

Distress call from Platonius [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5784.2. We are responding to desperate distress calls from an unknown planet . My science officer, Mr. Spock, is unable to account for this, since he reported no signs of life on the planet. It is rich in kironide deposits, a very rare and long-lasting source of great power."
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5784.3. Dr. McCoy is endeavoring to treat the leader of a strange group of people. When their planet novaed, millennia ago, they transported themselves to Earth during the time of Socrates and Plato . After the death of the Greek civilization they idolized, they came to this planet and created for themselves a utopia patterned after it. " ( TOS : " Plato's Stepchildren ")

The Scalos incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5710.9. Mr. Spock has remained in accelerated time so that he might effect repairs to the ship more rapidly. " ( TOS : " Wink of an Eye ")

The Ariannus incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5730.2. The planet Ariannus is vital as a transfer point on regular space commercial lanes. It has been attacked by a bacterial invasion which threatens to render it lifeless unless checked. Our mission, to decontaminate it. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5730.7. Having completed our mission to Ariannus, the Enterprise is now on course to Starbase 4 . The crew is on normal routine and we are proceeding without incident. "
• " Captain's log, Stardate 5730.6. In a deliberate act of sabotage, Commissioner Bele has burned out our destruct mechanism and, through the power of his will, has again taken over directional control of the Enterprise." ( TOS : " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield ")

Mission to Elba II [ ]

• " Captain's log, stardate 5718.3. The Enterprise is orbiting Elba II , a planet with a poisonous atmosphere, where the Federation maintains an asylum for the few remaining incorrigible, criminally insane of the galaxy. We are bringing a revolutionary new medicine to them. A medicine with which the Federation hopes to eliminate mental illness … for all time. I am transporting down with Mr. Spock, and we're delivering the medicine to Doctor Donald Cory , the governor of the colony. " ( TOS : " Whom Gods Destroy ")

The Gideon incident [ ]

• " Captain's log, Stardate 5423.4. We are orbiting the planet Gideon which is still not a member of the United Federation of Planets . The treaty negotiations have been difficult because Gideon has consistently refused the presence of a delegation from the Federation on its soil, or any surveillance by the ship's sensors. They have finally agreed to a delegation of one. They insisted it be the Captain of the Enterprise . I am, therefore, beaming down at once. "
• " I am alone on the Enterprise . I have searched every area of the ship and still cannot find a trace of the crew, or an indication of how its disappearance was managed. The one thing that is obvious is that I suffered a memory lapse, during which time I bruised my arm. It is causing me some irritation. "

External link [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2268 at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works

After nearly 14 years the STO Academy closed its doors. It has provided information and tools to the players of Star Trek Online for as long as the game has existed. Rest assured, the fleet still exists in game for anyone who wishes to get together with other players who want to have fun playing together.

I know some of you are wondering why I decided to shut down the website. There's a number of reasons, all resulting in one realization. I haven't been able to give the website the attention it requires nor will I be able to do so in the near future.

I hope the day comes when I'll be able to bring the STO Academy website back. It was a passion of mine that I truly enjoyed building over the years.

I want to thank everyone who had a hand in shaping the STO Academy, everyone who has ever used the website, and everyone who supported me.

Live long and prosper.