Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Alexh on 28/11/2004 23:50:01

Title: Solar sails and comet tails
Post by: Alexh on 28/11/2004 23:50:01

I've been following in the New Scientist and some science forums the debate over whether solar sails will ever actually work.

There are a number of arguments to say that they won't - and the most obvious evidence that they will is that comets have tails.

I just wondered whether anyone had seen any research on whether cometary tails could be due to tidal forces alone?

Title: Re: Solar sails and comet tails
Post by: Ultima on 28/11/2004 23:57:07

The problem is to get any sort of acceleration from them you must fly very very near to the sun, so for an unmanned probe it might be ok.

wOw the world spins?

Title: Re: Solar sails and comet tails
Post by: chris on 29/11/2004 13:24:09

How are they supposed to work ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: Solar sails and comet tails
Post by: gsmollin on 29/11/2004 18:40:22

They are large, thin mirrors that provide thrust by bouncing light photons off of them. Here are som weblinks with more info:

http://www.solarsails.info/
http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/snews/2004/0809.shtml