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[–] Code_X [S] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Hi Kid - classic Star Wars question and one which has caused no end of debate across fandom and oddly, science.

To begin - we know that in Star Wars a parsec is a unit of distance. This is G-canon by inference, as we know Star Wars is set in our Universe, just in a different Galaxy and a long time ago. So failing scientific evidence that the laws of space, time and physics change depending on which galaxy you are in, a Star Wars parsec is the same as a"Earth" paresec - astronomical unit of length.

But that's not really what you are asking is it :) What you are really asking is how Han Solo can get the Falcon to do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.

Since obviously you can't shorten something known to be a fixed distance (i.e. do it "quicker") - this has caused many people consternation.

There are a couple of answers here we can take though, all based on the assumption that G-canon (i.e the movies) are "real".

The first answer assumes that Han Solo's brag was in fact accurate (and that he wasn't just drunk and trying to crack a bear... see above - great example ;) ). The Expanded Universe (which used to be Canon, however not necessarily any more - see "Star Wars Legends" etc) explained this as follows: (Thanks to Wookiepedia for some copy paste paraphrasing)

The Kessel Run is 18 parsecs in length by measure. It is a space lane used by smugglers to bypass Imperial patrols, and passes dangerously close to a triple cluster of black holes. So point 1 - they don't use hyperspace to do the run due to the gravitational issues - so it's got nothing to do with the statement "she'll make .5 past light speed". According to EU canon (the Han Solo Trilogy as well as supporting material around Grand Admiral Daala and the Maw facility), by cutting his part to even closer to the Maw, and due to the corresponding warping of time and space due to the black holes, he managed to make the Run a 11.5 parsec journey.

The second answer assumes Han is full of shit or "has cracked one too many bears". This is the G-canon (official) explanation as the original script states clearly that "Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with obvious misinformation." and in the final script Han's line is listed as Han Solo (obviously lying) "It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!".

(Having had the honour of actually reading years ago in high school, a real copy of the final script belonging to some of the R2's prop crew (where I went straight to a couple a points including this one) - that's indeed how it is written in the script, so that's really the official answer.)

Hope that helps!

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[–] KidQuantum 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Good Lord, we have to find you a job...

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[–] Code_X [S] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

I have one. :)

It's not Star Wars related.

Damn it.

(I can haz this jobz? http://archive.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/16-09/ff_starwarscanon?currentPage=all )