Posted on 04/02/2023 10:56:15 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Japanese company named ALE is sending satellites into space to create the world’s first human-made meteor shower! Named Sky Canvas, this project was initially scheduled for launch in 2020, but a satellite malfunction delayed the show. Now, reports suggest the fireworks could go off as early as 2025.
ALE plans to recreate this phenomenon by replacing the natural debris with metal-based artificial particles about 1 cm in size. These grains will be placed in satellites and accurately released from 400 km above Earth, after which they will transform into shooting stars by burning at an altitude of 60-80 km.
A statement on their website elaborates: “The shooting star particles are installed in the satellite and are released after it is confirmed that there are no spacecrafts on the designated path. By controlling the position, direction and speed of the meteor particles, the human-made shooting stars are able to emit light in the sky of any designated location anywhere in the world.”
While artificial, these meteor showers might appear even more beautiful than their natural counterparts. This is because they will enter Earth's atmosphere at slower speeds than natural meteors, enabling them to form bigger streaks by emitting light for longer durations.
(Excerpt) Read more at weather.com ...
No Environmental Impact Statement needed, I guess.
“There will be signs in the heavens . . . .”
What could go wrong?
There is more to THIS story.
They aren’t going to create a fireworks display in the ionosphere for the entertainment value.
What are they REALLY doing?
“A crummy commercial?”
Mother Nature doesn’t like to be mocked.
Of course, it isn’t delayed so some evil government scientist can add a deadly disease to them and “strategically” dropped over a metropolitan area.
This would be a great idea for a 4th of July display over the skies of America. Just like with fireworks, they could create them to burn in many colors and it would be beautiful.
Chemrites
Follow The Science!
I thought it might be something useful like bringing down some space junk. But no just more ego-driven artsy wartsy.
Seeding the upper atmopshere with metallic sulfides to reflect sunlight?
This idea has been broached before, with the comment the intent was to take it private (as opposed to government sponsored).
This may be just some refined marketing for the ‘bread and circuses’ crowd.
“Mother Nature doesn’t like to be mocked.”
The way that airplanes imitate birds?
“I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky”
Why?
How much does this cost? In the millions? Noone is spending millions to make the sky look “purty” for about 5 minutes.
Eat your Ovaltine!
Wouldn’t Skylab have qualified as an artificial meteor shower?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.