Difference between revisions of "975: Occulting Telescope"

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{{comic
 
{{comic
| number    = 0975
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| number    = 975
 
| date      = November 09, 2011
 
| date      = November 09, 2011
 
| title    = Occulting Telescope
 
| title    = Occulting Telescope
 
| image    = occulting_telescope.png
 
| image    = occulting_telescope.png
| imagesize =
 
 
| titletext = Type II Kardashev civilizations eventually completely enclose their planetary system in a Dyson sphere because space is way too big to look at all the time.
 
| titletext = Type II Kardashev civilizations eventually completely enclose their planetary system in a Dyson sphere because space is way too big to look at all the time.
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
In this comic [[Cueball]] takes the useful practice of {{w|occulting}} stars beyond its intended purpose. Occulting is often used to block the light from a star so that the surrounding {{w|extrasolar planets}} (planets outside of our solar system) might be more visible and thus can be more clearly examined. Here instead of using the technique to gain access to less visible stars and planets, Cueball proposes blocking the light from all stars. The rationale is that there are just too many stars and he would feel better presumably if he could look at the night sky without being overwhelmed by the great volume of stars visible, each representing its own solar system.
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[[File:Dyson Swarm.png|thumb|A relatively simple arrangement of multiple Dyson Rings of the type pictured above, to form a more complex Dyson Swarm. Rings' orbital radii are spaced 1.5 x 10^7 km with regard to one another, but average orbital radius is still 1 {{w|Astronomical unit|AU}}. Rings are rotated 15 degrees relative to one another, around a common axis of rotation. (from Wikipedia Commons)]]
[[File:Dyson Swarm.png|thumb|A relatively simple arrangement of multiple Dyson Rings of the type pictured above, to form a more complex Dyson Swarm. Rings' orbital radii are spaced 1.5 x 10^7 km with regard to one another, but average orbital radius is still 1 {{w|Astronomical unit|AU}}. Rings are rotated 15 degrees relative to one another, around a common axis of rotation.(from Wikipedia Commons)]]
 
The title text refers to a Type II {{w|Kardashev civilization}} that encloses its solar system in a {{w|Dyson sphere}} not to trap all emitted energy from its star for its own use but because there are just too many stars to look at.
 
*A type II civilization has trapped all energy from its sun. (Type I has only the energy available from its own planet and a type III would have access to energy from its entire galaxy).
 
*A Dyson sphere is currently only a theoretical network of satellites that would be designed to orbit and completely surround a star to capture and transmit all of the available solar energy back to a planet.
 
  
 +
[[Cueball]] takes the useful practice of {{w|occulting}} stars beyond its intended purpose. Occulting is used to block the light from a star under observation so that adjacent dim objects, such as any {{w|extrasolar planets|surrounding planets}}, might be more easily detected and examined. Instead of blocking the light of a single star for the purposes of observation, Cueball proposes blocking the light from all stars, for the purpose of making him feel comfortable with the night sky. Cueball feels, some might say irrationally, that "there are too many stars, and it's been ''freaking me out''".
  
 +
The title text refers to both a {{w|Kardashev scale|Type II Kardashev civilization}} and a {{w|Dyson sphere}}.
 +
 +
A Dyson sphere is a theoretical construction consisting of a network of satellites that orbit and completely surround a star. The purpose to capture and transmit all of the available solar energy back to a planet.
 +
 +
A Type II Kardashev civilization is a theoretical civilization that has advanced to the point where it has constructed a Dyson sphere.
 +
 +
For comparison purposes:
 +
*A Type I Kardashev civilization is one that has harnessed the energy of their entire planet.
 +
*A Type III Kardashev civilization is one that has harnessed the energy of their entire galaxy, which seems a boastful kind of thing to do.
 +
*We are currently less than I.
 +
 +
The title text reveals that Type II Kardashev civilizations construct Dyson spheres not for the purposes of capturing all solar energy, but merely to block the view of all that hideous space.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
:[A person is giving a lecture in front of a white board, pointing to a diagram with a pointer.]
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:[Cueball is giving a lecture in front of a white board, pointing to a diagram with a pointer.]
:Lecturer: The occulting observatory consists of two parts -- the telescome and the discs.
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:Cueball: The occulting observatory consists of two parts—the telescope and the discs.
 +
 
 
:When the telescope sees a star, a disc is carefully steered to block its light.
 
:When the telescope sees a star, a disc is carefully steered to block its light.
:[A diagram of a satellite (labeled "telescope") with waves going from it on the left, across to the other side of the diagram (labeled "light from star") on the right. In the middle is a small vertical line (labeled "disc"), stopping some of the light waves from the right traveling to the left of the diagram.]
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:[A diagram of a satellite labeled "telescope" with waves going from it on the left, across to the other side of the diagram (labeled "light from star") on the right. In the middle is a small vertical line labeled "disc", stopping some of the light waves from the right traveling to the left of the diagram.]
 
:This procedure is repeated until all stars are covered.
 
:This procedure is repeated until all stars are covered.
:[The lecturer looks down at a student.]
+
 
 +
:[Cueball looks down at a student.]
 
:Student (off screen): Wait, all? Why?
 
:Student (off screen): Wait, all? Why?
:Lecturer: I'll feel better.
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:Cueball: I'll feel better.
:[Close-up on lecturer.]
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 +
:[Close-up on Cueball.]
 
:Student (off-screen): I thought the point was to image extrasolar planets.
 
:Student (off-screen): I thought the point was to image extrasolar planets.
:Lecturer: The point is that there are too many stars. It's been freaking me out.
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:Cueball: The point is that there are ''too many stars.'' It's been freaking me out.
 
:Student: What?
 
:Student: What?
:Student#2 (in smaller letters): He has a point...
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:Student #2 (in smaller letters): He has a point...
 
 
  
{{comic discussion}}  
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{{comic discussion}}
<!-- Include any categories below this line-->
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
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[[Category:Astronomy]]
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[[Category:Exoplanets]]

Revision as of 04:07, 18 May 2014

Occulting Telescope
Type II Kardashev civilizations eventually completely enclose their planetary system in a Dyson sphere because space is way too big to look at all the time.
Title text: Type II Kardashev civilizations eventually completely enclose their planetary system in a Dyson sphere because space is way too big to look at all the time.

Explanation

A relatively simple arrangement of multiple Dyson Rings of the type pictured above, to form a more complex Dyson Swarm. Rings' orbital radii are spaced 1.5 x 10^7 km with regard to one another, but average orbital radius is still 1 AU. Rings are rotated 15 degrees relative to one another, around a common axis of rotation. (from Wikipedia Commons)

Cueball takes the useful practice of occulting stars beyond its intended purpose. Occulting is used to block the light from a star under observation so that adjacent dim objects, such as any surrounding planets, might be more easily detected and examined. Instead of blocking the light of a single star for the purposes of observation, Cueball proposes blocking the light from all stars, for the purpose of making him feel comfortable with the night sky. Cueball feels, some might say irrationally, that "there are too many stars, and it's been freaking me out".

The title text refers to both a Type II Kardashev civilization and a Dyson sphere.

A Dyson sphere is a theoretical construction consisting of a network of satellites that orbit and completely surround a star. The purpose to capture and transmit all of the available solar energy back to a planet.

A Type II Kardashev civilization is a theoretical civilization that has advanced to the point where it has constructed a Dyson sphere.

For comparison purposes:

  • A Type I Kardashev civilization is one that has harnessed the energy of their entire planet.
  • A Type III Kardashev civilization is one that has harnessed the energy of their entire galaxy, which seems a boastful kind of thing to do.
  • We are currently less than I.

The title text reveals that Type II Kardashev civilizations construct Dyson spheres not for the purposes of capturing all solar energy, but merely to block the view of all that hideous space.

Transcript

[Cueball is giving a lecture in front of a white board, pointing to a diagram with a pointer.]
Cueball: The occulting observatory consists of two parts—the telescope and the discs.
When the telescope sees a star, a disc is carefully steered to block its light.
[A diagram of a satellite labeled "telescope" with waves going from it on the left, across to the other side of the diagram (labeled "light from star") on the right. In the middle is a small vertical line labeled "disc", stopping some of the light waves from the right traveling to the left of the diagram.]
This procedure is repeated until all stars are covered.
[Cueball looks down at a student.]
Student (off screen): Wait, all? Why?
Cueball: I'll feel better.
[Close-up on Cueball.]
Student (off-screen): I thought the point was to image extrasolar planets.
Cueball: The point is that there are too many stars. It's been freaking me out.
Student: What?
Student #2 (in smaller letters): He has a point...


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Discussion

A personal lesson I've learned long ago that I would like to share with Mr. XKCD and others: Don't worry about things you don't have direct control over, try to help people that do have control better understand the challenge they are facing and you will feel great with every accomplishment (similar to remembering to bring that reusable bag of yours to the store). If you don't know anyone with control, but feel you have a lesson to teach about the universe around us, put it in fiction form for future generations to learn from, and we will reward you with riches for it. - e-inspired 98.211.199.84 15:51, 27 February 2013 (UTC)

Wouldn't the disk covering the star reflect sunlight so the observer would end up with an EVEN BIGGER SPOT in the sky where the star used to be? 162.158.92.106 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

I assume you're talking about light from our Sun and not light from the observed star. Of course the disc would be made of dark non-reflecting material, the opposite of a mirror. But even if it would be a mirror it reflects only in one direction. Put a (reflecting) coin in your hand far away as possible and aim to every point around you, even when you intent to see the reflection of the Sun by having it just behind you it's not easy to see it. And turn only a tick to the left you see nothing. BTW: Please sign your comments. --Dgbrt (talk) 19:17, 20 September 2018 (UTC)

I don't think that sending all the energy back of a star to ONE planet would be advisable... mostly due to the scale of energy likely destroying said planet(or if not making it uninhabitable(unless they are horribly inefficient)) or (using our system(the solar system(our original solar system(the one with the planet Earth)))) all of the planets in our solar system, although it could be used to increase the amount of energy received by those planets 162.158.154.241 19:13, 24 September 2018 (UTC) 20:14 , 24 September 2018