Here's how it works:
* It's a unique system: Stardates are a fictional construct, not a direct conversion to Earth years.
* It's sequential: Stardates increase as time passes, but the exact rate of increase isn't consistent.
* It's based on an internal calendar: The precise nature of this calendar isn't revealed in detail, likely to maintain a sense of mystery and futuristicness.
Why use a stardate system?
* Sci-fi realism: The idea was to create a futuristic timekeeping system that felt different from our current one.
* Narrative flexibility: By not revealing the exact conversion to Earth years, writers have more flexibility in setting stories within different time periods.
* Mystery and intrigue: It adds a sense of mystery to the Star Trek universe, making the future feel more alien and intriguing.
Important things to remember:
* No exact conversion: There's no official, exact conversion of stardates to Earth years.
* Stardates are not linear: There's not a constant, predictable rate of increase.
* Stardate variations: The stardate system has been slightly altered over the years, making comparisons between different shows difficult.
Example:
A stardate like "4327.4" might correspond to a few years after the year 2200, but it's not a precise equivalent.
In short, think of stardates as a unique, internal timekeeping system within the Star Trek universe, not a direct conversion to Earth years.