The Destruction of Jedha and the Myth of Planetary Annihilation in Star Wars

The destruction of Jedha in the Star Wars universe has long been a point of discussion among fans and critics alike. Contrary to popular belief, the obliteration of Jedha did not lead to the complete annihilation of the entire planet. This article aims to clarify the events as they transpired in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Localized Destruction

When the Death Star fired its superlaser, the destruction was indeed localized. The focus of this devastation was the city of Jedha and the surrounding areas. The explosion caused a significant impact on the planet, leading to the loss of countless lives and the destruction of the city, but the planet itself remained intact. This localized destruction underscores the technology's ability to target specific regions with extreme precision.

Comprehensive Analysis of Destruction

There are several reasons why the entire planet of Jedha did not be come an asteroid field. It is important to consider the specifics of the weapon and its intended use. The Death Star's superlaser is designed to dissolve planets through extreme heat and pressure, a process that would require nearly the full destructive capacity of the weapon. As noted in the movie, the destructive power used on Jedha was likely only a minuscule fraction of the Death Star's total capacity.

For reference, Alderaan, a planet famously destroyed in A New Hope, was completely annihilated by the Death Star's primary weapon. The mechanism of destruction involves the weapon firing a beam that penetrates the inner core of the planet, superheating it to the point where the crust is vaporized, resulting in a catastrophic event that shatters the planet into fragments. The scale and power required for such an event are immense, far beyond what was used on Jedha.

Intent of Military Operations

The destruction of Jedha was part of a broader military operation to secure the plans for the Death Star. The military objective was not to make a political statement, but rather to eliminate the facility and all resistance. The Death Star discharged a relatively low-power beam during its strike on Jedha. This is evident from the fact that the gunner was given specific instructions to limit the power output, as it was only a demonstration.

Similarly, after Jyn Erso transmitted the plans to the ship, the Death Star fired a low-power beam on the military base. The intention was to eliminate the threat and secure the information, not to degrade the planet's surface. Even the Millennium Falcon encountered remnants of the destruction, though what it found was likely superheated and fragmented material, not cold, unaffected rock.

Probing for Crystals

Exploration and mining were also part of the mission. The Death Star's operation in Jedha was not merely a show of force but also a quest for valuable resources. According to the briefing, the plan was to uncover and possibly exploit kyber crystals buried within the planet. These crystals, found in Jedha, have significant potential for use in the construction and workings of the Death Star. The surface explosion might have elicited a reaction from the remaining crystals, causing further damage.

In summary, Jedha's destruction was a strategic military operation focused on a specific area, and the planet's core and majority of its surface remained intact. This event demonstrated the immense power of the Death Star but did not result in the complete annihilation of a planet as seen in other instances, such as Alderaan in A New Hope.