‘Game of Thrones’ Dragons Are Scientifically Legit, According To Neil deGrasse Tyson

Nerd alert! The genius physicist explains what the fantasy series gets right.

Brandon Friederich

Sep 26, 2017

Game of Thrones Dragon — Image: Game of Thrones

Famed astrophysicist and proud nerd sex symbol Neil deGrasse Tyson just broke down the science behind the fire-spewing dragons in Game of Thrones, and hardcore fans are gonna be psyched.

placeholder caption — Neil dropping science with Seth MacFarlane.

Well, he was as comprehensive as one can be in 140-character tweets—the dude obviously has more important science-ey shit to do.

Good Bio-Physics in #GameOfThrones: The Dragon Wingspans are sensibly large, as their body weight would require for flight. pic.twitter.com/gzD5wI38u5

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) September 24, 2017

First, he took a look at wingspans. They were deemed “sensibly large” based on the load they’d have to carry, unlike the “aerodynamically useless” wings of Renaissance-era Cherubs.

The sensibly large wingspan of Dragons in #GameOfThrones contrasts with aerodynamically useless wings of Renaissance cherubs. pic.twitter.com/I8L8ILBtUu

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) September 24, 2017

After giving them a pass in physics depatment, he looked at the magnificent reptilian creatures from the standpoint of evolutionary biology.

“Good Biology in GameOfThrones,” he wrote. “As in LordOfTheRings, Dragons forfeited their forelimbs to make wings, like birds & bats”

Good Biology in #GameOfThrones: As in #LordOfTheRings, Dragons forfeited their forelimbs to make wings, like birds & bats. pic.twitter.com/pguBe6rosQ

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) September 24, 2017

He also weighed in on the ice dragon’s blue-hued breath, which he estimated to be “at least a factor of 3X hotter than RedDragon breath.”

Intriguing Thermal Physics in #GameOfThrones: BlueDragon breath would be at least a factor of 3X hotter than RedDragon breath pic.twitter.com/RvpBkqJ1sw

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) September 24, 2017

In deGrasse’s expert opinion, much of GoT’s dragon depictions are scientifically sound. He did, however, take issue with manner in which wights’ pulled a dragon out of a lake.

“Chains need to be straight, and not curve over hill and dale,” he tweeted. Nerd alert!

Bad Physics in #GameOfThrones: Pulling a dragon out of a lake? Chains need to be straight, and not curve over hill and dale. pic.twitter.com/VIJlIuDz3L

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) September 24, 2017

Some people just have to ruin everything.

h/t: Gizmodo