At 9:04 AM 2/6/5, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >Horace- Is it not possible that orbiting these nano particles will > have the opposite effect than expected. > Would they not reflect heat back to the Earth, instead > of allowing it to escape . > The way that a clear cloudless sky really lets > temperature's drop in the winter. > Just Wondering - GES
When it comes to ordinary weather you have to ask which is cause and which is effect in this case. A clear sky is due to a high pressure dense atmosphere, i.e. a cold atmosphere and thus dry atmosphere because cooled air will not hold the moisture that hot air does. There is a reinforcing effect in that the reduction in low level cloud cover reduces the reflective (cloud) barrier which prevents surface level heating. Here again, however, low level clouds tend to hold in whatever surface heat is present, so it is another trade-off, though not an equal trade-off. Cold dry high pressure air typically originates in the northern or a cooler region, while hot moist low pressure air typically originates in a warm or southern region. Based on temporary global cooling that occurs after major eruptions, and the cooling that followed Desert Storm, it appears to me clear that high altitude dust can and does prevent light from reaching the troposphere, and thus produces cooling. Yes it is true that such a band will reflect back some radiation toward earth. However, less of it reaches the earth in the first place, so a net cooling effect occurs. Models of the effect in a vacuum could be checked by experiment on the space station. I should also mention that dispersal to a latitude belt extending 50 degrees from the equator was only a first guess. Another latitude number might be better. The idea behind the choice is that a large hole in the polar regions provides an escape route for radiant heat through which the sun can only shine obliquely. All the land upon which the sun shines at a nearly vertical angle is covered. There is a cost/benefit tradeoff in choice of particulate density, latitude band, total particulate mass, particle size, and dispersal altitude. These variables would have to be built into a good supercomputer weather model for optimization purposes. Additionally, rate of loss of orbital altitude as a function of particle size and density would have to be modeled. One of the greatest unknowns is the effect of such a band on the ocean currents. Other effects would have to modeled as well, like the effect on communications, global positioning, nocturnal animals, and space launch capabilities. A lot of work would be required to minimize the bad effects. Still, given no other option to stop global warming if it goes into a runaway mode, these secondary considerations are moot. Environmental impact is not a problem. It is a choice between some habitat or none at all. Regards, Horace Heffner
