In reply to Jones Beene's message of Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:07:43 -0700 (PDT): Hi Jones, [snip] >> Neutrino flux is an unlikely candidate, because the >power density is only 45 W / m^2 (tops). > >OK neutrinos may not be the source, or the >flux+rate-of-changeover may be the limit of power >input, or not... but how did you arrive at this >figure? [snip] Based on the following assumptions:
1) Most neutrinos floating around out there result from the fusion reactions in stars. 2) Day is brighter than night. => The Sun far outshines all the rest of the Universe put together. 1 & 2 => The Sun is the primary source of neutrinos on Earth. The major neutrino producing reaction in the Sun (by a large margin) is the P-P reaction. P + P -> D(nucleus) + positron + neutrino + 0.420 MeV => of which, at most, 0.420 MeV is carried by the neutrino, usually less. (Two of these reactions are needed to produce the Deuterium for 1 He4.) The total energy resulting from the production of He4 from 4 protons is 26.73 MeV. => The proportion thereof that is carried by neutrinos is at most 2 x 0.420 / 26.73 = 3.1%. => Of the energy arriving at the Earth from the Sun, at most 3.1% is carried by neutrinos. The Solar irradiance is 1300 W/m^2 above the atmosphere, so the maximum for neutrinos is 3.1% thereof = 40.8 W / m^2. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk There are NO immovable objects in the Universe, and ALL forces are irresistable.
