Okay, here it is, the best way (not to mention most accurate) to figure out stardates for TNG, DS9, and VOY. The following includes: three examples, a not-so-complicated math problem that is easily solved with a calculator, a section on how to convert regular time into stardate, and this pointless intro. So let's get to the math problem. The key to deciphering stardates is, first, knowing that there are 365 days and a year and, second, that there 10000 possible stardates (if you ignore the first two digits then 000.0 would be one and 999.9 would be 10000). Just spread the 365 days out evenly over the 10000 stardates and there you go. So, 365 days divided by 10000 stardates is 0.0365 days per stardate. This is equal to 0.876 hours (0.0365 days times 24 hours is 0.876), which is equal to 52.56 minutes (0.867 hours times 60 minutes is 52.56). Subtract the minutes (52) and multiply the rest by 60 to get 33.6 seconds. Now we have 52 minutes and 33.4 seconds per stardate. On the fun part. I'm using the stardate from "Relics" to be the victim, 46125.3 (I just stuck my finger out at a list of TNG episodes to pick this, in fact, the first one I picked was "First Contact", one of the few with no stardate) Step 1: Ignore the first two digits and move the decimal to the left once (1253) Step 2: Multiply the chopped up stardate by 52.56 (65857.68) or 52.704 in the case of leap years (66038.112, but 2369 isn't a leap year). This is in minutes. Step 3: Subtract the "65857" part and multiply the "0.68" part by 60 (40.8). This is in seconds. Step 3a: Remember the minute part. Step 4: Divide the minutes by 60 (it should be 1097.6166667 or 1097 37/60) This is in hours. Step 5: Subtract the "1097" part and multiply the difference by 60 (37). This is in minutes. Step 5a: Remember the hour part. Step 6: Divide the hours by 24 (it should be 45.708333333 or 45 17/24) This is in days. Step 7: Subtract the "45" part and multiply the difference by 24 (17). This is in hours. Step 7a: Remember the day part. So now we know that "Relics" took (takes?) place 45 days, 17 hours, 37 minutes, and 40.8 seconds after January 1, 12:00:00am of the same year. Now we have to figure out which day the 45th is. Step 8: Subtract the number of days in all the previous months [45 - (no. of days in Jan.) = 14]. [Hint: Just get a calendar and start subtracting the number of days in each month beginning with January, stop when you get to a number that's less than 31] Step 9: Put it all together. Now we're done. "Relics" begins on February 14, 5:37:40.8pm. Then there's leap years. Since there are 366 days in a leap year, we would have to use 0.0366 days per stardate or 52.704 minutes (52 minutes and 42.24 seconds). This is in "Example 1." Example 1-- Stardate: 41153.7 Steps 1 & 2: 1537 x 52.704 = 81006.048 Step 3: 0.048 x 60 = 2.88 seconds Step 4: 81006/60 = 1350.1 hours Step 5: 0.1 x 60 = 6 minutes Step 6: 1350/24 = 56.25 days Step 7: 0.25 x 24 = 6 hours Step 8: 56 - (no. of days in Jan.) = 25 Step 9: "Encounter at Farpoint" began February 25, 6:06:2.88am. Example 2-- Stardate: 43989.1 Steps 1 & 2: 9891 x 52.56 = 519870.96 Step 3: 0.96 x 60 = 57.6 seconds Step 4: 519870/60 = 8664.5 hours Step 5: 0.5 x 60 = 30 minutes Step 6: 8664/24 = 361 days Step 7: 0 x 24 = 0 hours Step 8: 361 - (no. of days in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov.) = 27 Step 9: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1" began December 27, 12:30:57.6am. Example 3-- Stardate: 47988.1 Steps 1 & 2: 9881 x 52.56 = 519345.36 Step 3: 0.36 x 60 = 21.6 seconds Step 4: 519345/60 = 8655.75 (or 8655 3/4) hours Step 5: 3/4 x 60 = 45 minutes Step 6: 8655/24 = 360.625 (or 360 5/8) days Step 7: 0.625 x 24 = 15 hours Step 8: 360 - (no. of days in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov.) = 26 Step 9: "All Good Things..., Part 1"began December 26,3:45:21.6pm And here's how to convert regular time to stardate: Step 2: Convert the seconds and add to minutes, 21/60 = 7/20 or 0.35 plus minutes is 7.35 Step 3: Add the number of days in all the previous months, 12 + (no. of days in Mar., Feb.,Jan.) = 102 Step 4: Convert days to hours and add to hours, 102 x 24 = 2448 + 9 = 2457 Step 5: Convert hours to minutes and add to minutes, 2457 x 60 = 147420 + 7.35 = 147427.35 Step 6: Convert minutes to stardate, 147427.35 divided by 52.56 is 2804.9343 Step 7: Put the decimal in the right place (just move it to the left once) and round the rest off, 280.5 I really don't like the fact that the 27th century starts in 2393 and the 20th century started in 2323. So I think that the first two digits of a stardate should be the last two digits of the current year. Therefore, instead of 41000.0 it would be 64000.0. I guess the people in the 24th century can't remember the current century very well. The stardate today (what today used to be anyway) would be 95280.5. Now we will check our work (you don't have to, I just like to be thorough). We (or I) shouldn't be more than an hour off either way. Steps 1 & 2: 2805 x 52.56 = 147430.8 Step 3: 0.8 x 60 = 48 seconds Step 4: 147430/60 = 2457.166667 (or 2457 1/6) Step 5: 1/6 x 60 = 10 minutes Step 6: 2457/24 = 102.375 (or 102 3/8) Step 7: 3/8 x 24 = 9 hours Step 8: 102 - (no. of days in Jan., Feb., Mar.) = 12 Step 9: Today is (was) April 12, 9:10:48am Three minutes and 27 seconds off isn't bad (I don't think so anyway). I am working on a file that lists all TNG, DS9, and VOY episodes in stardate order with the decoded date and time next to it. It will be out after the current seasons are over. Then you can have something to keep you busy during all those reruns. Peace and long life. E-mail me with any comments, criticism, or questions: PTaylor595(@aol.com) P.S. I still have no idea as to how to convert original series stardates.