Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to R.A.D.I.A.T.I.O.N.

Re: R.A.D.I.A.T.I.O.N.
Success_Machine — (archived)

I was thinking that a large parabolic mirror could be used to collect sunlight. The concentrated sunlight would then be piped into the greenhouse (which is shielded without windows). The light would then be diffused throughout the interior of the greenhouse.

A giant parabolic mirror with a single focal point would not be smart. Rather an array of smaller mirrors (parabolic in depth, but filling a square-shaped cross-sectional area) would be easier to build. Light from each one would be focussed on a fibreoptic ferrule and piped into the greenhouse. It might even be possible to create thin sheets of optical plating that accomplish the same task. On a large scale the solar concentrator would appear to be just a giant flat rectangle not unlike a photovoltaic panel. But the surface is riddled with billions of microscopic parabolic dimples and the rear surface is etched with fibreoptic channels.

Its not real yet. But someday it will be.

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