It's a debate that had raged on for decades between fans of 'Star Wars' and the followers of the 'Star Trek' franchise, pitting two amazing spaceships against each other: the Millennium Falcon versus the USS Enterprise.
The sci-fi death match between Han Solo's speedy spacecraft and Gene Roddenberry's massive ship has even made its way to random celebrity interviews. While the Millennium Falcon has proven to be the more popular one due to its connections to a certain stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerfherder, the Starship Enterprise has been defended by Trekkies for its sheer size and defenses.
So if you were a scientist, which would you choose: the Millennium Falcon or the Starship Enterprise?
A fan had decided to ask celebrity astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson the age-old question, and National Geographic has shared his response. The 'Startalk' host was sure of his decision and didn't even hesitate as he gave his answer.
"Oh that's easy. Oh my gosh, the Enterprise! There's no question!" Tyson said, explaining his choice.
"The Enterprise has the benefit of being real in the sense that there are real scientists and real engineers on the staff on the ship, monitoring its engines, its warp drives, its torpedoes and so it's fake real. As opposed to the Millennium Falcon which is just fake fake. It's just part of a fantasy storytelling in 'Star Wars.'"
In addition to that, Neil DeGrasse Tyson explained how the USS Enterprise is different from every other spaceship depicted in film and TV.
"It is the first ever spaceship represented in storytelling that was not designed to go from one place to another. It was only designed to explore. Think about that," he said.
The Millennium Falcon will be returning to the big screen when 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' premieres on December 18. The Starship Enterprise will be bringing its crew back to theaters in 'Star Trek Beyond,' which is scheduled for release on July 22, 2016.
