Astronomical story of a life time

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Don`t concern yourself, Geoff……..This is the Soapbox section and anything goes!

Even jokes!………Oh I see, you`ve posted one!……….Only joking my mate…..lol

Everybody likes Trains!………I know quite a few forum members are into them too!

I think Geoff has made a really nice job of this loco and would be nice as a 5" Live Steamer

It demonstrates the very clever Watt linkage mechanism, which guides the piston rod end through a straight line motion, with the aid of radial linkages!

Because…..In those far off days, they couldn`t manufacture a straight slideway

I know he has a video of this model, cycling and he`ll post a link shortly?

I like it…….Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I feel I should mention, out of total respect for my old pal Geoff, that he once came face to face with the famous Astronaut….Major James Irwin ……US Marine Corps………At a Moon lecture, somewhere in Cheshire…….What an awesome experience that must have been?

Just imagine, blasting off in a 1960`s rocket, with your heart in your mouth for four or five days!…..Convinced that you can`t possibly get back……and actually landing on the Moon!

What a fantastic feat of technological skill and knowhow and a colossal exercise in teamwork and organisation?

There isn`t enough words in my head to describe this magnificent achievement…..etc….etc

Then to carry out various experiments and gather Moon rock samples………and all the time, thinking about getting home……..How could you sleep at night?

They must have been very special people?

Somehow, time passed and it was time!…..They climbed back into their gold leaf covered contraption and blasted off back into space……With the task of getting back to the circling Mother spaceship!……….Can you imagine that journey?

Once again, by unbelievable skill and planning and sheer goodluck……They made it!

Can you imagine their thoughts as they looked back and saw the Earth?………250,000 miles away!

It must have been vital to blast back to Earth at a very critical moment in time!…….and, knowing that……..More reason to think about whether they`ll make it or not!

Imagine the relief, as they see the Earth getting nearer and nearer and they dare to start to even think, that they`ll get home

20,000 miles to go and the space capsule is jettisoned from the rocket and skids across Earth`s atmosphere……Looking like a firey comet and enters the stratosphere……….Nearly there, boys!

But where will they land?……..Anywhere!……..In the Sahara Desert?……..Down a volcano?………Top of Mt Everest………In the Amazon jungle?………..Etherow lake?…………No!……In the Pacific Ocean as planed!……..WOW!

They are home!………..Can you imagine their thoughts at this point in time?…….No wonder, Irwin was convinced there was a God afterall!

Well, boys…….That`s my version of the adventure………Hope you were suitably enthralled?

I`m quite exhausted myself, after that trip!

Over to you, Geoff……….Will you show us, your signed photograph please?

Bob

[Geoff RoyleParticipant @geoffroyle15964]

Bob, This is the 'business'. In some circles these are ten-a-penny because Col. Irwin travelled the world touting the prints in aid of various charities. Unfortunately prints are being sold which are only photocopies, autograph included. Just take a look on Ebay. Here then is my treasured script as penned by the great man himself.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That will be a true collectors item in future years……..Not seen the photograph before now

Sorry I got his rank wrong in my story from memory

Did Irwin mention how he felt, standing on the Moon and looking back to Earth and thinking about his chances?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I expect he was wondering about how much green cheese he could bring back….

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Colin……….I would imagine he wasn`t thinking about food at the time!

Thinking out loud again……In the old days, when Capt Cook discovered somewhere new, he claimed it for Great Britain!

Could the USA lay claim to the Moon?

If the Russians had got there first………It would have been a different Kettle of Fish!…..eh?

Food for thought?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Do you really want some food for thought?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Astronaut Bob

Here is your food for thought…………………What will happen when China gets to the moon and claims it for minerals?

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

I`ve already mentioned Russia in the same vein!

I can see problems on the skyline!

This is something new for the World Powers to argue about!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Astro Bob

Russia, USA and most of the developed world have a space treaty relating to the common good of all mankind. Russia and USA have been cooperating on space missions since the late 70s, hence there would never have been a lunar Russian / USA stand-off.

The moon becomes a valuable commodity when the human race begins manned missions to the other planets as it is far easier to build and launch ships from the moon.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

How would the VGC Cruiser perform up there?

We might get away with a 540?

See what a forward thinking thread this is?

Something for the kids!p at last!

Astro Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Here is another example of forward thinking for this scientifical thread.

A model boat that keeps running…….is it possible?

The propeller pushes the boat through the water.

The paddle wheel rotates as the boat moves through the water.

A belt attached to the paddle wheel turns the generator.

The generator charges the batteries.

The batteries power the motor which turns the propeller.

Is it possible?

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

No, the laws of conservation of energy make it impracticable.

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Would it make any difference if the batteries were fully charged before the boat starts.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

Your futuristic idea needs to have the effect of Gravity built into the power chain, somewhere

In order to get something for nothing!

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Could the addition of a solar panel make up for the losses?

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Entropy, Paul, entropy! Charging the batteries would make it go on for longer but the mechanism is not operating at 100% efficiency so energy will gradually be lost from the system.

Back in the 1960s there was an interesting design of a small catamaran with a propshaft at around 30 degrees with a waterscrew fitted at one end and a model aircraft propeller at the other. The question was whether the energy created by the headwind on the prop would be enough for the waterscrew to propel the catamaran into the headwind. I suspect it would not have worked directly into the wind but maybe at an angle possibly, although I think keels would need to have been fitted to the catamaran in the same way as they are needed for a tacking yacht.

I never heard of anyone building one though – a project for Ashley perhaps?

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Not only the earths gravity but you can also utilise the moons gravity aswell and the best power return for lunar gain is during an equinox.

Tony

A solar panel would help and we could add some input from wave energy.

Colin

Do you really think that the laws of thermodynamics applies in this case? there isn't really much energy produced by heat in this system, but if it does then surely the second law proves the case as the entropy of an isolated system never decreases; such a system will spontaneously evolve.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul…..You have given me a weird idea!

When the Moon is overhead……High Jumpers should be able to jump higher!

Due to the Gravitational pull of the Moon!

Hope the Olympic Committee are aware of this?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Paul,

I agree that energy is not destroyed, it is merely converted from one form to another but the various inefficiencies and friction will manifest as low level heat which dissipates and is essentially unrecoverable for practical purposes. Think Heat Death of the Universe although that theory is rather out of favour at the moment.

This of course leads on to quantum physics and the theory of Scrodinger's model boat which can be simultaneously afloat and sunk and only becomes one or the other as you arrive at the pondside…

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

The problem with Scrodinger's equation is the uncertainty between electrical and magnetic fields, to use your excellent example the boat can be either on the water, under the water or not in the water (not present in this reality)

You can apply Planck-Einstein equation E=hv to fix one (or more) of the points (or reality's) but this opens up the potential paradox of what is jokingly referred to as the 'trousers of time' or better described as the multiverse where anything that can happen does happen in its own separate reality (have you read Hawkings thoughts on bubble universe)

Using quantum mechanics brings us back to my example of a perpetual self propelling boat and the possibility of utilising potential and kinetic energy to replace any energy loss that might occur through the effects of friction.

Bob

Its not such a weird idea especially if you understand the principal of apples and planets jumping at each other.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 09/04/2015 19:03:35

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

For Wayne K

As discussed this afternoon

Bob

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