“...12 parsecs ...”??
A parsec is a distance!
“A parsec is a distance!”
Of course it is. Hyperspace travel thru rock and gas fields requires greater energy and tight navigation but is faster than the safer, low-energy route through open space. A hyperspace route can indeed be expressed as a distance. In trading time and distance equal money. So the Kessel run in 12 parsecs is indicitive of some badass hyperspace skills.
The distance of 20 parsecs refers to the length of the plotted maze through the maelstrom. The kessel run includes the lengthy maze through the maelstrum
Solo took a short cut out through the side of the maze which was more direct and thus cut the distance by about 8 parsecs.
It was a cheat because he used an unregulated path through the maelstrom so dangerous that even smugglers would not try it.
At least that is a reinterpretation of the jargon.
Kinda like the marathoner who wins by taking a car for all but the first and last 1000 meters... of a race.
Trust me, Star Wars nerds noticed that immediately and have been arguing about it for 40 years.
Sure, and he found a short hyperspace warp that was only 12 parsecs long. That's how he did it so quick. Everyone else was taking the long way around.
“...12 parsecs ...”??
A parsec is a distance!
—
This has been joked about since 1977.
You’re just hearing it now?
Correct, the distance of about 3.26 light years as a matter of fact.