Stargate (device)

:This article is about the device in the fictional Stargate universe. For other uses of the term, see Stargate (disambiguation).

Related Topics:
Stargate - Stargate (disambiguation)

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In the Stargate science fiction universe, Stargates are large ring-shaped devices created by the Ancients and scattered on Earth-like planets throughout the Milky Way and other galaxies as well. Their original Ancient name appears to have been Astria Porta, but the Jaffa and Goa'uld call them Chaapa'ai ; the English word "Stargate" is apparently a direct calque of this word. Asgard-protected human peoples like the K'tau refer to them as the Annulus. In the Pegasus galaxy, they're called Ring of the Ancestors, Ancestral Ring and variations thereof.

Related Topics:
Stargate - Science fiction - Ancients - Milky Way - Jaffa - Goa'uld - Calque - Asgard - Annulus

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Stargates can be used to open wormholes from one gate to another, allowing nearly instantaneous travel between them. Matter can only pass one-way through the wormhole, from the gate that "initiated" the connection to the gate that was dialed, but radio signals can travel both ways. In transit, matter is broken down into its individual atoms and then reconstructed on the other side, however, superficially, walking through a Stargate is no different to stepping through a doorway.

Related Topics:
Wormhole - Atoms

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Stargates are typically 22 feet (6.7 m) in diameter and made of the heavy mineral naqahdah. They are usually found standing vertically, though they still function normally in other orientations.

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At present, there are three types of Stargates known: the type located in the Milky Way galaxy, those placed in the Pegasus galaxy, and the "Supergate" created by the Ori. It remains to be seen how an Ori Stargate functions.

Related Topics:
Milky Way - Ori

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