As reported by the officials China is planning to launch 3 artificial moons to illuminate the night sky by 2022 which will lower the electricity energy consumption by the street lamps and lights.
The reflecting mirrors are expected to orbit at 500 km at above the earth and light up an area with a diameter of 10 to 80 kilometers. The first launch will be a test which might be conducted in 2020. Chengdu which is the capital of China’s south-western Sichuan province will be the first one to get the benefit.
It will work by reflecting the sunlight and replace the street lamps in the urban areas saving an estimation 1.2 billion Yuan ($170 Million). It will also be helpful during disaster managements and blackout zones. The luminous intensity is predicted to be 8 times more than the natural moon.
OK! but is it really possible?
As confirmed by Dr Ceriotti , it is scientifically possible to build the artificial moon. But to fulfill the purpose the fake moon has to continuously be in the orbit of Chengdu.
Will it have impact on the Natural Environment?
According to Kang Weimin who is also the director of the Harbin Institute of Technology said that the light of the satellite will be resemble “dusk like glow” and will not affect the natural habitat of animals.
But on the other hand a large number of social media users of China have a grave concern that the nocturnal animals might get confused.
Is China the first one to conduct such weird experiment?
Though China is not the first country to try it hands on reflecting back the sunlight. In 1980’s Russia attempted to build a project called ZNAMYA or BANNER to test technology that could increase the length of a day which would help in boosting the productivity in farms and cities in the then Soviet Union.
Source – BBC News, The Hindu
