FYS: Well that's depressing

[jeriendhal]

Jut trying to figure out the lighting system for the Ring. I realized that if it's at Geosynchronous orbit at 36,000km, and the Moon is at 400,000km, it's now invisible to the Ring's inhabitants.

Of course the Ring itself is blocking the view of the Moon from Earth, I think. Which is going to be a Bad Thing for a lot species down there. I suspect Roof might have to be modified ot fix that.

Comments

[autopope.livejournal.com]

Depending on how massive and structurally solid the Ring is, you could put it under tension by spinning it around the Earth. It's roughly 100,000km in circumference, and a rotational period of 28.5 days would mean spinning it at around 165 km/h. Not sure what the centrifugal effect would be like, but probably not too bad, and it would permit you to put a Moon-sized viewing window in the ring that would be permanently positioned betwixt Moon and Earth?

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how fast it's spinning, but it's enough to generate one gravity for the resident's comfort. Structure is fairly solid (think Ringworld) with the Roof consisting of artificial diamond. [1]

Not sure where the window you're talking about would go. In the floor somewhere?


[1] Sure the 2000km sides shouldn't let any air out, but why take chances?

[allah-sulu.livejournal.com]

Of course the Ring itself is blocking the view of the Moon from Earth, I think. Which is going to be a Bad Thing for a lot species down there.

Like werewolves?

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Is it truly necessary to see the actual Moon? Just cover the Ring with mirrors and actuators and controls, and reflect sunlight so it looks like the Moon. It doesn't even have to have an identical appearance - a square featureless mirror array reflecting the same amount of light as a full moon would still trigger turtles to lay eggs and such.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of a Very Very Very Large Liquid Crystal Display built in the glass of the Roof to replicate the Moon and to block any ambient sunlight during the Ring's night cycle.

It was also initially used to wish happy birthday to inhabitants from the sky, but that program's plug was puled by loud demand.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

Remember that the Moon's orbit isn't aligned with the equator; it's closer to the ecliptic. If the Ring is orbiting above the equator, the Moon will usually be visible. (If the Ring is aligned with the ecliptic, you might also be blocking the Sun!)

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that should fix it for at least part of the Ring I think.