4 ms·
> Why? Physics. Entropy. If it absorbed energy that touched it, it would heat up. You could then use the difference between it and its cooler surroundings to
by tempguy9999 7y ago
> Why?
Physics. Entropy.
If it absorbed energy that touched it, it would heat up. You could then use the difference between it and its cooler surroundings to run an engine. Waste heat from the engine could then be absorbed to keep the engine running. You'd have created a perpetual motion machine, which is considered impossible.
- Enginerrrd 7y agoBut how hot does it really need to get? A solar panel doesn't heat up to sun temperatures, and a heat pump operating between the sun and the vacuum of space could be really efficient. The heat could be rejected elsewhere, no?
- pas 7y agoThe important thing about space is that's there's no elsewhere. In a closed system of a star, the sphere, and the outer space eventually energy will flow from the star to the outer space region. There's no perfect insulation. (See also Maxwell's demon.) Of course detection is a different matter altogether. Hiding better and better is possible. But if you really want to hide a Dyson swarm is not the best way :)