A New Moon
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2018 11:48 am
In a move that could save hundreds of millions of dollars in annual electricity costs, the Chinese government is planning to launch a "fake moon" into space in 2020.
The moon, according to China Daily, is actually an "illumination satellite" featuring reflective panels. These panels will catch and release light from the sun just as the moon does, although Wu Chunfeng, head of Tian Fu New Area Science Society in Chengdu, says the satellite has the potential to be approximately eight times as bright as the natural celestial reflector.
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Prior to launch, tests will be conducted "in an uninhabited desert" in order to ascertain whether or not the light will negatively affect the natural cycles of wildlife. According to Wu, however, the artificial moon will not "light up the entire night sky" because it is expected to be only about one-fifth as bright as regular streetlights.
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Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time such a project has been undertaken. In 1999, Russia attempted to launch an "artificial moon" satellite from its Mir space station. The satellite, named Znamya, was designed to light up the northern region of the country where sunlight is scant during the winter months.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/37396/ch ... frank-camp
I am not sure what to make of this type of endeavour. Is this a step forward for mankind? or a step down?