Just because you can, does not mean you should is the take away for me on this one….. What do you lot think?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-18/chinese-city-plans-to-launch-artificial-moon-by-2020/10392862
China is reportedly in the process of creating an “artificial moon” that would be bright enough to replace the streetlights in the south-western city of Chengdu by 2020.
Chinese scientists plan to send three artificial moons into space in the next four years, and the moons — made from reflective material like a mirror — are expected to orbit at 500 kilometres above the Earth and light up an area with a diameter of 10 to 80 kilometres.
I kind of get what they are doing, but am totally lost on the why.
The how should be interesting. I am sure before long, someone will provide a diagram on how they are going to reflect sunlight from behind the earth… Either that or 500 km’s is high enough for it to always be in sunlight?
