Fun Stuff > CHATTER
Stewards of the Earth
explicit:
--- Quote from: Orkboy on 04 Feb 2015, 03:18 ---There was a theory a while ago that a satellite could trail a long copper cable behind it to generate a current off of earth's magnetic field, but the obvious problem is getting power down out of orbit.
--- End quote ---
MOTHERFUCKIN' LASERS, let's do it.
BenRG:
--- Quote from: explicit on 04 Feb 2015, 03:24 ---
--- Quote from: Orkboy on 04 Feb 2015, 03:18 ---There was a theory a while ago that a satellite could trail a long copper cable behind it to generate a current off of earth's magnetic field, but the obvious problem is getting power down out of orbit.
--- End quote ---
MOTHERFUCKIN' LASERS, let's do it.
--- End quote ---
I know that this issue of power transference has long been the stumbling block for orbital power generation. One solution had been a high-power microwave-wavelength radio beam, which would penetrate the atmosphere as if it wasn't there. However, someone did some calculations and realised that even a tiny fraction of a degree of a drift in the aiming point of the transfer beam would literally flash-boil any life-form it its in its skin in a second if they were unfortunate enough to be within a few miles of the receiving station.
In reply to Orkboy, I don't think that they make lasers that powerful yet, at least not in operating wavelengths that can penetrate Earth's atmosphere.
LTK:
--- Quote from: Carl-E on 04 Feb 2015, 00:01 ---I present the solar furnace at Odeillo in the Pyrénées. Reaching temperatures over 6,000 degrees F (3500 C) since 1970. The plane mirrors in the foreground follow the sun, reflecting light onto the parabolic array from dawn to dusk. It's at an elevation that's above much cloud cover and provides for a long day.
And hydro power doesn't always require a dam. Most of NY state and the surrounding area gets power from a simple diversion of the Niagra river before it goes over the falls...
--- End quote ---
Oh that's pretty cool. The last thing I read about a solar furnace was the one in Nevada that reflects the heat from the ground to a tower, which poses the problem that any birds passing through that area get roasted mid-flight. Presumably that's less of a problem with one on the ground, but how does that one work? I see panels on the field and mirrors on the building; where is the heat collected? It could be that building in the center but that doesn't look like a solar collector at all.
Carl-E:
The thing's 8 stories tall, the solar collector is on the side of that center building that's facing the mirror. You can't see it in reflection because of the missing central mirror panels. It's there, but partially surrounded by the building's sides.
You can see the scaffolding and lower parts of the collector in this pic.
explicit:
Does anyone have a good way of remembering to bring their reusable bags into the store? For the life of me I always forget.
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