Hi MIKE.

13-Feb-03 10:39:12, MIKE ROSS wrote to Charles Angelich


 MR> "Charles Angelich" wrote to "Mike Ross" (12 Feb
03  18:53:16) ---
 MR> on the topic of "Columbia's 'computers'"

 CA>> I've been aware of gamma radiation damage for 40 years and it's
 CA>> my opinion we need to understand the curvature of space better
 CA>> than we now do and curve space around the manned space vehicles
 CA>> to deflect these gamma particles.

 MR> Bending space was theorized back in the late 19'th century. It was
 MR> then proposed to build the most powerful telescope ever by using a
 MR> very powerful magnet to bend space to form it's main optical lens.
 MR> Of course in hindsight it was a rather quaint romantic notion as
 MR> we all now know it's impractical to use electromagnetic forces to
 MR> bend space.

mass bends space, they have used the lensing effects of the mass of galaxys to
see into the far distance, of course they can't aim this sort of
telescope.

 MR> Sure they do, for example the astronauts in the space station take
 MR> shelter behind the water tank whenever there is a large solar
 MR> erruption, as it makes an excellent shield for cosmic radiation.
 MR> However, many plastics too make good shields because of their
 MR> density so it isn't only heavy metals like lead or gold that can
 MR> stop radiation. A combination of such materials will stop most
 MR> types of radiation found in space. Gold foil was used extensively
 MR> in the early days of spaceflight.

Mainly because it can easily be made thin  (and therfore light weright)
and it reflects infrared really well, I don't think it's much use against
particles or x-rays.

 -=> Bye <=-

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