Magnification of the sun

[DevilSolution]

Quick question, could we magnify the sun into (or onto) an array of solar panels that then transfer the energy to earth using radiation (microwave?). Secondly could it be magnified (concerntrated) to the extent that it becomes a high energy beam (like a laser cutter that uses mirrors and optics) from some satelite in space, do we have the technology to make such a device and what effect would the earths atmosphere have if it were to be aimed at say....england.

 

Regards.

[swansont]

To what end? Why not just collect the light after it has arrived on earth, like we already do?

 

Where would these solar panels be? How much power would you be sending?

[ajb]

Spaced based solar energy has been looked into since the 1970s and using microwaves to 'beam' energy to Earth had been proposed.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power

[DevilSolution]

Because we loose energy through our atmosphere + the solar panels woudlnt suffer the constraints of night. Simply put they would get ALL the energy ALL the time and with magnification it just enhances the proposition

[John Cuthber]

Do you know how much energy and money it takes to put something in space?

[MigL]

And why do you want to 'fry' England ?

[Enthalpy]

Concentrating sunlight down to Earth would produce a spot, IF we had the necessary technology, at most as hot as the solar chromosphere, that is 6000K. That wouldn't be as efficient as the lasers used to cut sheets industrially. But it would be a weapon for sure, provided that the sky is clear.

 

A more efficient means is a power laser. You can pump some from sunlight, for instance Yag. Then you must aim at the target, which needs to compensate the atmospheric turbulence, but this is easier from the top than horizontally, and airborne power lasers do it already. Anyway, this still relies on clear weather. It also needs the satellite at the proper position when needed.

 

I find much easier to fry an other satellite than a terrestrial target by such means. Though, in impact is even easier.

[John Cuthber]

And why do you want to 'fry' England ?

In particular, why do you want to fry England with a technique that will fail if it is cloudy.

[Phi for All]

Quick question, could we magnify the sun into (or onto) an array of solar panels that then transfer the energy to earth using radiation (microwave?). Secondly could it be magnified (concerntrated) to the extent that it becomes a high energy beam (like a laser cutter that uses mirrors and optics) from some satelite in space, do we have the technology to make such a device and what effect would the earths atmosphere have if it were to be aimed at say....england.

 

Regards.

 

I used to think space-based solar was a viable answer, but there are far too many concerns about transmission of power from space to Earth (even if we could do it at that scale). It would violate about a billion treaties, and give the entire population the heebie-jeebies. It might have worked prior to Star Wars, but forget it now. It's a non-starter, even if it had no atmospheric effects.

[DevilSolution]

I said england simply because its my home so its less likely to offend someone whos country im not a product of.

 

I dont know about expenditure, was simply curious about the suns potential.