So, I'm creating a world in a dystopia format and I'm curious on other peoples opinion about how they would think a fully enveloping Dyson Swarm would affect the earth's temperature. I want the swarm to be close enough to the sun to block out a good percentage of the sun, too. It would definitely drop the temperature, but making it a permanent solution, are we looking at an increasing drop, constant winter, or a chance where it would all balance out.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
3
-
1$\begingroup$ What has magic to do with this question? $\endgroup$– L.Dutch ♦Commented Dec 4, 2019 at 17:46
-
$\begingroup$ You should clarify what you mean by ".. a good percentage... ". Your question could be answered with some degree of accuracy if you provide this number. Also you question implies that the planet is outside of the Dyson Swarm, is this correct? $\endgroup$– Nate WhiteCommented Dec 4, 2019 at 17:54
-
3$\begingroup$ It really depends entirely on the intentions of whoever put the Dyson swarm in place. If you can make a Dyson swarm in the first place, it's almost trivial by comparison to have exactly the effect on the Earth's temperature that you want it to, up to and including no effect at all. So is cooling the Earth a desired effect of the Swarm, or do the people who made it not care? $\endgroup$– Morris The CatCommented Dec 4, 2019 at 18:03
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
Earth weather is highly dependent on how much solar energy reaches the lower atmosphere and the surface of the oceans.
If your swarm decreases the solar energy the Earth receives by let's say 25%, then that by itself would be enough to create a new "Iceball Earth" where most temps would be like Antartica levels or colder.
Supposedly, this may have happened once in the past. It took increased volcanic activity (with its release of gases into the atmosphere) to stabilize the situation.
Alternately, if people are still on the planet, they could increase their activities that generate greenhouse gases to warm up the planet. In that scenario, burning lots of coal would be considered eco-friendly.
A lot depends on what the swarm is for in the first place. If it is for converting solar energy to electricity that is beamed to the Earth, then the consumption of that electricity would generate some heat that would partially offset the decrease in temps.
-
$\begingroup$ If the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth dropped by 25%, no amount of "greenhouse gases" are going to keep things from going ice ball. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 4, 2019 at 18:14
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
The Earth is a delicate balance. If you dropped the sunlight, it would rebalance after awhile. But if you go too far and trees start dying and polar zones grow, then you will have a run away freeze and the Earth dies.
If this swarm is smart though, it could shift itself to allow sunlight to the Earth as the Earth orbits. Creating a gap in the swarm that moves as the Earth moves.
-
1$\begingroup$ Very important to understand the intentions of the swarm creators. We can't answer the question without knowing what kind of effect they WANT to have on the earth's climate. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 4, 2019 at 18:30