Experimental Magnetic Shield Against Cosmic Rays 199
stiller writes "British scientists from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory have developed an experimental set-up in which a $20 magnet is used to deflect solar-wind-like radiation." Reader Dersaidin points out a slightly more enthusiastic article at Universe Today which emphasizes the possibilities of systems based on this phenomenon to protect astronauts during solar storms, writing
"It's a good start. Hopefully, later versions will be able to protect spaceships from energy weapons. A beam from the LHC can melt a 500kg block of copper. Shields, check. Energy weapons, check. Now we just need a viable interstellar drive, and an energy source to power it all."
Oblig ... (Score:1, Funny)
Modulate the shields !!
Experimental Magic Shield Against Cosmic Rays (Score:4, Funny)
Did anyone else misread the title?
USS Liberty (Score:5, Funny)
I suggest mounting a standard generator at the core of the prospective space ship and attaching a coffin containing one of our founding fathers to it. The rapid spinning should provide plentiful power for all manner of techno-gadgetry.
Re:Experimental Magic Shield Against Cosmic Rays (Score:3, Funny)
Oh ...takes off wizard robe and hat
Tea or Death? (Score:5, Funny)
This brings up a larger issue to me...how well does tea steep in zero G, And would there be a difference between an Earl Grey blend or a black tea blend?
Checklist... (Score:3, Funny)
No, what we need is a strong hull that can withstand all the micro-meteoriods hitting it at 27,000+ mph.
I recommend getting a General Products #2 hull.
hot stuff (Score:2, Funny)
Now we just need a viable interstellar drive, and an energy source to power it all.
Then it's all alien babes from here to the farthest star! Warp factor exosex, Scotty, all power to the engines!
You know what this means... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Oblig ... (Score:5, Funny)
From Instructor: Now we're going to practice our impact procedures. Ok everyone lean to the left.
*Whole class but one guy leans to the left*
From Instructor: Good! Now lean to the right.
*Whole class but same one guy leans to the right*
From Instructor: Excellent! Your prepared for when the ship takes damage.
From The One Guy: Uh? Why are we leaning to the left and right like that?
*Instructor hands him a red shirt*
From Instructor: Keep your insurance paid up son.
Re:Sounds like Highlander (Score:1, Funny)
I do now! Thanks a lot.
Now available from Monster (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Tea or Death? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, obviously for the Earl Grey, you have to say "Hot", as in "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot", or it comes cold.
For the black tea blend, you get a cup of a drink that's almost but not quite entirely unlike tea.
Re:Sounds like Highlander (Score:5, Funny)
There is no sequel. There can be only one.
Re:Tea or Death? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:sure it can melt 500 lbs of copper... (Score:5, Funny)
Anyone know what the standard made-up unit is for energy/time?
Sadly, we don't need a made-up unit for that. The one we have is bad enough:
Horses
Re:A beam from the LHC can melt a 500kg block of c (Score:3, Funny)
Watt? Horsepower? Michael Phelps? NSA datacenter electricity usage? Total solar output?
Re:From page 2 of linked article (Score:3, Funny)
Maybe, maybe not.
Maybe we're in the alternate universe, where the Federation was evil.
The theory bears scrutiny. Haven't you noticed the popularity of goatees?
Re:Earth-based uses? (Score:1, Funny)
How many earth based computers are fried by cosmic radiation? Or is that what we refer to as PEBKAC now?