funny thing... the Kelvan modifications allowed passing through it harmlessly...
True.
I've wondered about that episode. I watched it again recently, and the energy barrier can be taken to be encapsulating the entire galaxy or just in that one section of space.
And...is that the same energy barrier they go through in
Trek V: The Final Frontier?
SCRATCH THAT...
(Found this on the net...)
In the science fiction universe of
Star Trek, the
Great Barrier is an energy field that surrounds the
Milky Way Galaxy. Also referred to as "The Galactic Barrier", the energy field completely encompasses the galactic disk and prevents conventional
starship travel beyond the edge of the galaxy.
A non-canon theory has suggested the barrier is not meant to keep explorers "in" the galaxy, but to keep something from beyond the galaxy "out". It is also uncertain wether or not the energy barrier is a natural or artificially created phenomena.
Although numerous attempts to travel outside the galaxy have been made, with various degrees of success, the barrier usually damages or destroys ships that try to pass through it. It also has psychoactive effects as some personnel gain powerful
telekinetic and
telepathic abilities if traveling near the barrier.
The barrier appears as a pinkish band of light, and upon entering it, a ship is surrounded by dancing clouds of colorful energy. Inside the barrier, a ship's power and engines shut down and navigational systems become erratic.
The Great Barrier made its first appearance in the
Star Trek: The Original Series episode "
Where No Man Has Gone Before" where the crew of the
USS Enterprise had to deal with those affected by the psychic powers of the field.
It was also encountered again in the episode "
Is There in Truth No Beauty?" where the
Enterprise becomes lost within the barrier and is saved by the incredible navigational skills of an alien passenger.
The barrier had also damaged an alien ship from outside the galaxy, in the episode "
By Any Other Name", stranding the aliens in our galaxy until they try to steal the
Enterprise and return to their home galaxy.
There is also a second Great Barrier at the core of the Milky Way, which was first revealed in the motion picture
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. This energy barrier at the core was thought to be impenetrable like the one at the edge of the galaxy, however it was revealed that only mankind's natural fear of the unknown was keeping those from entering it.
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