A neverending solar eclipse | Dead Planets Society

TL;DR

Crowdsourcing a global project to block the sun with a giant sunshade for constant eclipses.

Transcript

you could build quilting would be an answer we could crowdsource it then yeah everybody does their own little piece of it and also like a global project to block out the sun I've never heard a better idea welcome back to Dead Planet Society from new scientists I'm Leia Crane and I'm Chelsea white this episode we are blocking out the sun you heard m... Read More

Key Insights

• 😥 Using a giant sunshade at the L1 point can create constant eclipses on Earth.
• 🛩️ Options like using planets or a swarm of smaller sunshades provide flexibility in design.
• 🛰️ Lightweight solutions are preferred to minimize any potential impact on Earth's orbit.
• 💯 The ability to control the sunshade's position and intensity of the eclipse is essential for a perfect viewing experience.
• 😎 Different ideas like building colored glass panels or using solar sails can offer unique eclipse experiences.
• 👻 Configurability and flexibility in the sunshade design can allow for customized eclipse experiences.
• 🛰️ Considerations for maintaining Earth's orbit stability and avoiding unintended consequences are critical.

Questions & Answers

Q: How would placing a giant sunshade at the L1 point affect Earth's orbit?

Placing a massive object at the L1 point could potentially disrupt Earth's orbit, so lightweight solutions like a swarm of smaller sunshades are preferred to minimize any impact.

Q: What alternative technological solutions are proposed besides using planets as sunshades?

One alternative is to build colored glass panels that only absorb certain wavelengths of light, allowing for a form of controlled eclipse. Another idea is to create a swarm of smaller sunshades with thrusters and gyroscopes for maneuverability.

Q: How would the shadow cast by the sunshade move across the surface of the Earth?

The shadow would move as the Earth rotates, resulting in a few hours of eclipse at noon each day, providing a unique viewing experience to different parts of the world.

Q: What considerations need to be taken into account when designing the sunshade to ensure a perfect total eclipse?

The size of the sunshade and its ability to tilt or adjust for different levels of eclipse are crucial factors to consider to ensure a perfect total eclipse without blocking the view of the Sun's corona.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The podcast discusses the idea of creating a giant sunshade to block the sun and create constant eclipses for people to witness at any time.

• By placing the sunshade at the L1 point between Earth and the Sun, it can cast a shadow on Earth, providing a few hours of eclipse daily.

• Different solutions are proposed, including using planets like Uranus or Neptune, or creating a swarm of smaller sunshades for flexibility.