When I write science-fiction, I strive to ensure the science, wherever possible, stacks up. To that end, I've written software to calculate orbits, satellite visual footprints, time-dilation, size and position of habitable zones (a.k.a. Goldilocks zones), and conversion between Earth and Martian calendars. I also use software provided by NASA, JPL and ASU, and perform a lot of research.
When I see a story in which the author has clearly 'guessed' stuff (such as orbital periods or when Earth is above the horizon on a particular day on Mars), and clearly got it wrong, it annoys me. A classic error - well actually more like epic error - was a story I read in which young people ran naked between airlocks on the Moon as a right of passage (which would result in death or permanent life-changing injuries). I've also seen (in fantasy stories) people ride horses at full gallop all day.
How do you deal with it, when you know something the author clearly doesn't, yet should have done had they done some research?
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