Join space scientist Chelsea Whyte and astronomer Leah Crane as they discuss their mission to block the Sun from view at all times, recreating the primal fear of an eclipse. From modest sunshades in orbit to moving entire planets, they explore the risks and challenges of creating a constant solar eclipse on Earth. With the help of astronomer Bruce Macintosh, they even call on knitters to aid in creating the largest piece of art ever made. Listen in for outlandish ideas on tinkering with the cosmos, all subject to the laws of physics.
Creating a constant eclipse in space using a giant sunshade can provide moments of eclipse on Earth while preserving the total eclipse experience.
Deploying multiple small sunshades in space to block out the sun requires precise navigation and positioning to avoid collision and maintain safety for life on Earth.
Deep dives
Creating a Constant Eclipse in Space
Scientists discuss the concept of creating a constant eclipse in space using a giant sunshade at the Earth-sun Lagrange point L1. By placing a large shade at L1, a shadow would be cast onto the Earth during specific times, allowing for a few hours of eclipse in different locations on Earth. This method involves adjusting the size of the shade to control the patch of shadow on Earth and maintain a view of the corona, emphasizing the importance of preserving the total eclipse experience.
Logistics and Considerations of Blocking the Sun
The podcast delves into the logistics and considerations of a project to block out the sun using multiple small shades in space. The proposed solution involves deploying numerous small sunshades, each equipped with thrusters and gyroscopes to adjust and control their positions. These shades would be hexagonal in shape and orbit around the Earth at the Earth-sun Lagrange point L1. The strategy includes a method for navigation and maneuvering, ensuring the shades do not collide or drift away.
Balancing Eclipse Creation and Potential Risks
The episode explores the balance between creating an eclipse daily while mitigating risks such as impacting the Earth's orbit or potentially harming life on Earth. The concept of controlling the shades' thrust using solar radiation pressure is discussed to prevent collision and ensure proper positioning at the Lagrange point L1. Furthermore, the podcast considers the idea of configuring the shades to allow for occasional eclipse events rather than a constant state of darkness, aiming to strike a harmonious balance between spectacle and environmental safety.
Did you miss out on the recent total eclipse? Don’t fear, we’ve got the solution. We bring you the constant solar eclipse.
Chelsea Whyte and Leah Crane have decided not to destroy the Sun this time. Instead, they just want to block it from view at all times. But it’s all in the name of good – so everyone gets to experience the same “primal fear” Leah did when she first saw an eclipse.
What starts with a modest-sized sunshade in low-Earth orbit creating 5 second eclipses, quickly turns into moving entire planets at the risk of all life on Earth. With the help of astronomer Bruce Macintosh from UC Santa Cruz, they also create the biggest piece of art ever made and call on the help of the world’s knitters.
Dead Planets Society is a podcast that takes outlandish ideas about how to tinker with the cosmos – from punching a hole in a planet to unifying the asteroid belt to destroying the sun – and subjects them to the laws of physics to see how they fare.
If you have a cosmic object you’d like to figure out how to destroy, email the team at deadplanets@newscientist.com. It may just feature in a later episode.