Hi everyone,

Forgive the physics-y query, but it's of relevance to some artwork I'm working on currently. Does the X-wing engine emit exhaust in the way a jet engine might, such that it would under the right atmospheric conditions produce shock diamonds? I'm not quite sure where I'd find this information.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_diamond

many thanks!
Pete

I'm not a rocket scientist, but sure, why not?

If it's pushing out enough the back, I suppose it could.

It's okay to take artistic license. I doubt you'll have anyone wailing to the skies above over this.
There's so much wrong with SW physics as it is, that you shouldn't sweat this one.

Real world physics have nothing at all to do with Star Wars, the rule of cool is the only law that matters. If it looks good, then yes.

yes they do, which is why in SW diamonds have next to no value.....

19 hours ago, citruscannon said:

Hi everyone,

Forgive the physics-y query, but it's of relevance to some artwork I'm working on currently. Does the X-wing engine emit exhaust in the way a jet engine might, such that it would under the right atmospheric conditions produce shock diamonds? I'm not quite sure where I'd find this information.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_diamond

many thanks!
Pete

The WEG Sourcebook (p. 10) talked about ion engines as producing heat and radiation, and so were not safe for workers to be around. Technically, a law-abiding pilot would use contragrav to clear civilized areas and then turn on the sublight engines once higher in the atmosphere to avoid scotching ground crew with radioactive jet wash. So, Han "blasting out of Mos Eisley" was a definite Moving Violation.

Given how X-wings are designed, they seem to work on some sort of exhaust propulsion principle. For a ship fully capable of both space, atmospheric, and hyperspace travel, it seems reasonable for the ship's exhaust to create Shock Diamonds.

But as Force Majeur says, Star Wars pretty much ignores physics so just go with whats cool.