* Sound Needs a Medium: Sound travels as vibrations through a medium, like air or water. In the vacuum of space, there is no air or other medium for those vibrations to propagate.
* Light Travels Faster: While there would be a blinding flash of light from an explosion, that light would reach you long before any sound.
* Space Is Big: The vast distances in space mean that even if sound *could* travel, it would take an incredibly long time to reach your ears.
The Hollywood Effect:
The iconic sound of explosions in space is purely for dramatic effect. It's a way to heighten the intensity and visceral impact of a space battle. The filmmakers know that the audience expects to hear these sounds, and they use them to create a more engaging experience.
So, while we might not hear them in real life, the explosions in Star Wars (and many other sci-fi movies) definitely make for a more exciting and immersive experience!