Vacuum in a vacuum

[Maverick3n1]

Being that space is a vacuum, is there any way to make a device that would collect items in space?  Say dust particles.. If there are dust particles floating in front of you in space, is there any kind of way to create a suction type of aparatus that would suck those particles into some sort of container?

 

[scottb50]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Being that space is a vacuum, is there any way to make a device that would collect items in space?&nbsp; Say dust particles.. If there are dust particles floating in front of you in space, is there any kind of way to create a suction type of aparatus that would suck those particles into some sort of container? <br /> Posted by Maverick3n1</DIV></p><p>Probably. All you need to do is provide a suction. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Being that space is a vacuum, is there any way to make a device that would collect items in space?&nbsp; Say dust particles.. If there are dust particles floating in front of you in space, is there any kind of way to create a suction type of aparatus that would suck those particles into some sort of container? <br /> Posted by Maverick3n1</DIV></p><p>Vaccuum cleaners work by creating a vortex.&nbsp; They take in a large volume of air through a small opening to create suction.&nbsp; There isn't enough of a medium in space to create a vortex of any kind.&nbsp; Would a fan work in a vaccuum?&nbsp; No.&nbsp; Same concept.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[billslugg]

In space, where there is an absence of particles, it is not possible to make an area lower in particles. Thus no vacuum cleaner in space. (Except at extremely low values.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[Mee_n_Mac]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>In space, where there is an absence of particles, it is not possible to make an area lower in particles. Thus no vacuum cleaner in space. (Except at extremely low values.) <br />Posted by <strong>billslugg</strong></DIV><br /><br />Correct.&nbsp; I think you need to fly around with the approriate "vacuum bag" (aka aerogels) like the Stardust satellite did.&nbsp; And don't worry about that Andromeda strain stuff, it can't really happ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-----------------------------------------------------</p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,</font></p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, <strong>STOP</strong> !</font></p> </div>

 

[R1]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Correct.&nbsp; I think you need to fly around with the approriate "vacuum bag" (aka aerogels) like the Stardust satellite did.&nbsp; And don't worry about that Andromeda strain stuff, it can't really happ <br />Posted by Mee_n_Mac</DIV></p><p><font size="2" color="#000000">how about a large funnel? or could a pinhole in the middle of a solar sail be used</font></p><p><font size="2">to collect solar wind?&nbsp;can isolated solar wind easily calm down and form hydrogen?</font></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[docm]

<p>Start with a negatively charged panel to collect ions, most of which will carry a positive charge. Add a strong UV flood&nbsp; to ionize most of those atoms/molecules in front of it that arn't yet ionized. </p><p>Better yet surround the craft with a web of superconducting cable, create an EM field with it and inject plasma. Groups in the UK and US are working on this as a form of artificial magnetosphere.&nbsp; I call it a rudimentary shield.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[R1]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Start with a negatively charged panel to collect ions, most of which will carry a positive charge. Add a strong UV flood&nbsp; to ionize most of those atoms/molecules in front of it that arn't yet ionized. Better yet surround the craft with a web of superconducting cable, create an EM field with it and inject plasma. Groups in the UK and US are working on this as a form of artificial magnetosphere.&nbsp; I call it a rudimentary shield.&nbsp; <br />Posted by docm</DIV><br /><br /><font size="2">Thank you.</font></p><p><font size="2">Here is a news article link about this:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6567709.stm</font></p><p><font size="2">I wonder if it is feasible or even possible to recombine protons and electrons from the solar wind and remake hydrogen?</font></p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[R1]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>feasible or even possible to recombine protons and electrons from the solar wind and remake hydrogen?&nbsp; <br />Posted by john1r</DIV><br /><br /><font size="2">I'm sorry, I wandered off the topic, and I think we may need more energy to do it than the hydrogen can provide.</font></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[michaelmozina]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Being that space is a vacuum, is there any way to make a device that would collect items in space?&nbsp; Say dust particles.. If there are dust particles floating in front of you in space, is there any kind of way to create a suction type of aparatus that would suck those particles into some sort of container? <br /> Posted by Maverick3n1</DIV></p><p>As others have already explained, interplanetary space is not actually not a pure "vacuum", in fact there is really no such thing as a pure vacuum anywhere in physical reality. &nbsp; It is however a very low density environment and it would be difficult to make something an even lower density than we already find in interplanatry space.&nbsp; Most of what we find inside interplanetary space are *moving* protons, and helium ions that flow from the sun toward the heliopshere at about a million miles per hour.&nbsp; Assuming you put up some sort of "sheet", you might in fact hope to harvest these particles.&nbsp; IMO however the "better" approach would be to tap into the current flow that is continously present and just take the electricity directly from this current flow.&nbsp;&nbsp; A long teather might do the trick. &nbsp; If you're looking to harvest helium for some reason, then capturning these solar wind ions might prove to be useful.&nbsp; </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> It seems to be a natural consequence of our points of view to assume that the whole of space is filled with electrons and flying electric ions of all kinds. - Kristian Birkeland </div>

 

[derekmcd]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Most of what we find inside interplanetary space are *moving* protons, and helium ions that flow from the sun toward the heliopshere at about a million miles per hour. <br /> Posted by michaelmozina</DIV></p><p>Isn't most of the interplanetary medium comprised of mainly ionized hydrogen (i.e protons and electrons) with only a small smattering of ionized helium and the occastional few other heavier elements?&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[michaelmozina]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Isn't most of the interplanetary medium comprised of mainly ionized hydrogen (i.e protons and electrons) with only a small smattering of ionized helium and the occastional few other heavier elements?&nbsp; <br /> Posted by derekmcd</DIV></p><p>Besides the ordinary electrons we observe in the solar wind, the three most prominant ions in the solar wind are H+1, He+2, and He+1 in that order.&nbsp; The order of abundance of the various ions is related to their charge/weight ratio.&nbsp; He+2 is therefore significantly more abundant than He+1 even though their atomic weight is very similar.&nbsp;&nbsp; We also observe the solar wind can pick up spare electrons in a cometary tail and these solar wind ions slow down as a result of picking up these extra eletrons.&nbsp; </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> It seems to be a natural consequence of our points of view to assume that the whole of space is filled with electrons and flying electric ions of all kinds. - Kristian Birkeland </div>