A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Space Science » Science
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Solar sails - impossible?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old August 25th 03, 07:22 AM
Lizerd
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Solar sails - impossible?



"Mike Speegle" wrote in message
...
In news:jjustwwondering typed:
"Mike Speegle" wrote in message
...
In news:jjustwwondering typed:


A comet tail is a solar sail...


Actually a wake as the tail has no effect on the comet head.


Nothing like a wake: the tail does not spread in the direction
opposite to the comet's movement - but in the direction opposite
to the sun - i.e., the direction in which it is pushed by
solar radiation.


That was the context is was using wake, "downstream" of the solar
pressure and not related to the path of the comet head.

The comet head is not significantly affected, but that
is beside the point: comparing the tail to a sail
does not entail comparing the head to a spacecraft.


Okay, then I misunderstood your short statement and what you meant.
;-)
--
Mike


Maybe a better analogy is a ribbon blowing in the wind, independent on the
motion of the head....

--
(All advice is checked, re-checked and verified to be questionable....)


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AMBER ALPHA STAR CESAM stellar model harlod caufield Space Shuttle 0 December 27th 03 09:12 PM
Impact of Solar Storms on ISS altitude? Explorer8939 Space Station 0 November 26th 03 04:29 PM
NASA Monitors Solar Flare Activity During Space Station Mission Ron Baalke Space Station 0 October 25th 03 02:29 AM
Light Sails Won't Work? Rand Simberg Space Science Misc 20 July 10th 03 01:30 AM
[OT, but cool] Solar Flare pic Jon Berndt Space Shuttle 0 July 8th 03 02:14 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.