Basically, these scientists are planning to use a powerful laser to create a nuclear reaction that will make a tiny star. The first trial is set for late this summer.
They are claiming to end the energy crisis.
I mean, in theory, I am very excited. But, this seems so science fiction I feel like I am in a dream.
I ask AG:
1. Do you think it is safe even in an underground bunker with 6.5 ft thick concrete walls? (given, we are not scientists here)
2. I would like to know what you think the world would be like with out having to use fossil fuels, electricity, etc?
If scientists are attempting it, they must have a way to control it, their not stupid -.o . Anyway they have way more sophisticated equipment then we imagine, and that the media hasn't captured yet, either they do it sooner or later or this place ends up like Mars.
Fission and oil are completely different things. Our mechanical equipment fails. The laws of chemistry are constant. The laws of Chemistry don't "break" like an oil rig valve. Fission reactions are completely safe and secure.
I am not talking about the mechanic problems, here. I am talking about the fact that we can NEVER assume that whoever is in charge actually has a contingency plan or a fail-safe. It doesn't matter whether it is Fusion or oil. You are missing the point.
If it's safe .... i guess ... Not with those End Of The World Warnings..... Like with that big bang machine thing they had in 2008 which is still running....
@holden012 and delossantosj The Large Hadron Collider that is suppose to make mini black holes (I think they did I don't remember) is completely safe because they only last milliseconds
@people talking about lazer test CNN has it that
First live experiment with laser takes place this summer
The Large Hadron Collider that is suppose to make mini black holes (I think they did I don't remember) is completely safe because they only last milliseconds
thats what i thought lol. people are just plain out dumb and think that the nobel prize for physics means nothing
1. Do you think it is safe even in an underground bunker with 6.5 ft thick concrete walls? (given, we are not scientists here)
That would stop an atomic bomb. But I don't think a fully functional mini-star.
1. I think it is completely safe. The reaction will last a split second, and the "star" will be extremely small. Fusion, unlike fission, does not produce radioactive fallout (if I'm wrong about that, correct me), thereby making this much more safe than a nuclear power plant.
I think you're right, as such a small star will literally burn out in a split of a second (It's why stars have to be so big).
On the other hand, I can't see it happening in the first place:
Brown dwarves are stars that are not big, and dense enough to start fusion. Most of them are the size of Jupiter. They produce no light or energy, and are just big balls of rock.
Comparison: Jupiter vs however-big star
If they make a star the size of Jupiter, I will laugh.
The Large Hadron Collider that is suppose to make mini black holes (I think they did I don't remember) is completely safe because they only last milliseconds
No, it might happen, but it's not supposed to happen. And if I remember right, it hasnt happened yet... Wait until 2020, when they go full-power to 7 trillion electron volts, compared to the 3.5 they recently did.
I do believe this is science fiction, and if it works, it isn't a star, or not one that can work by itself.
My question is: How is this anything but a glorified thermonuclear bomb?
It's not that easy to transport. You need a whole building with tubes and a giant ball.
Not everything nuclear-related is a bomb, you know. People just abuse the knowledge.
OK, I read more in the article, and although some stuff I said was incorrect to this topic, I still agree with my last statement:
I do believe this is science fiction, and if it works, it isn't a star, or not one that can work by itself.
It's not a star: It's a reactor that simply works differently. They labeled it star to make it more exciting. And as the article points out every sentence, it cannot work by itself (Duh, it's all going into fusing a few atoms), but needs lasers. Therefore it is not a star.
Oh yeah, and as pointed out by the US government, this project is becoming over budgeted and out scheduled. Plus, if it works, it will take years to turn it into an energy source.
it sounds like a good idea, and in the future, if we got the juice to make our own 'star' and give it enough fuel to keep running, if we do evacuate to titan we might be able to use a small star to keep titan warm, by small i mean bigger then jupiter to keep the planets in orbit, but small compared to the sun
Not everything nuclear-related is a bomb, you know
I know that. I do know some stuff about nuclear things.
The thing is, this is nuclear fusion. On a completely different scale. This is essentially a ticking time bomb. Even if it works and doesn't blow itself up, it will be a completely impractical source of energy, and not because we don't have enough fuel. We do.
Everything in the universe fails. This will be no exception. The energy in any type of fusion is insane. I've never though it as even a remotely good idea anyways. Sure you get a lot of energy, but it's a genie in a bottle.
They're only doing it on mini-scale. Now if they did it on mega-scale, say doing this with a multiple ton sale, then I'd have reason to worry.
Technically, everything has the potential to kill that has to do with energy. Nuclear plants could blow up, coal mines cause pollution, thermal energy might become volcanic... It depends wether people use it or abuse.
Everything in the universe fails. This will be no exception. The energy in any type of fusion is insane. I've never though it as even a remotely good idea anyways. Sure you get a lot of energy, but it's a genie in a bottle.
But what we're doing is duplicating the process of the sun, of stars, and imagine how much energy there is! Fusion and Fission are two extremely high-power energy sources.
The slightest mistake, and boom.
You're more likely to be struck by lightning than die in a failed nuclear experiment. Why do you think they have so many precautions?
if we do evacuate to titan we might be able to use a small star to keep titan warm,
No offense, but that does seem a bit far fetched.
if we got the juice to make our own 'star' and give it enough fuel to keep running
Comparison: Earth to Sun. Big difference dude, even if we sacrificed Mother Nature we wouldn't have enough.
by small i mean bigger then jupiter to keep the planets in orbit, but small compared to the sun
Won't work: Stars need a certain mass to start fusion, and the size of Jupiter is too small. It would have to be 10 times bigger than Jupiter to make it a little star, that wouldn't keep us warm if we were right next to it.
