[LMB] (chat) new essay

[Ed Burkhead]

Mark wrote:
> If the reflection is spread out to cover the whole visible (almost-)
> hemisphere, or indeed any significant fraction of the planet's 
> surface, it will fade to insignificance. I'm afraid Her Ladyship 
> just made a boo-boo here, and I can't see any reasonable way to fix it.

Mark,

The thought crossed my mind during one of my readings of Komarr.  I watched
for it but saw NO indication of how big the Soletta mirrors are.  How
difficult is it to make a 7,000 mile diameter mylar film mirror?

It's entirely possible they are substantially larger than the apparent
surface area of a planet, as seen from a point in space.

Isn't it said that there's just a certain (small number) percent increase in
solar flux?

Now, my problem, not explained, is how the Soletta holds its position so
nicely.  As described, it doesn't seem to be at L2.  L1 wouldn't work.  L4
and L5 are enormously too far away.

Maybe skillful tuning of orbital position and solar sail effect is used.

Still, I managed to happily suspend my disbelief and enjoyed the story.

Fun playing with ideas.

Ed