Orientation of spin axis

From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sraj

> 2) The convex parabolic reflector in the Hab. Is that a good idea?
> A large shiny object overhead? One Earth for instance, we see the
> sun as a very small disc, the atmosphere largely diffuses the light.
> Some way to diffuse the light is essential.

I might be misunderstanding your cause for concern here, but the optics
could be arranged so that when looking at the paraboloidal mirror at the
spin axis, one would see in it an image of the sun of the same size as
what we see from Earth. I think if you were careful with the optics,
you could even have the sun be a round disk rather than an ellipse.

I suppose one could argue that the rest of the mirror would block part
of the view of the far side of the habitat, but I'd consider this a
minor issue for two reasons. One, we're talking about the view straight
overhead, and people don't spend much of their time looking straight
overhead (and looking in the direction of the sun is uncomfortable).
Two, in any habitat big enough for weather, clouds will obscure the view
of the far side of the habitat except for perfectly clear days.

> Is there a good reference on the Internet for ISLAND 1,2,3 designs,
> Stanford design, etc.? Google search does not turn up anything -

To me the best reference for geometries and light-path diagrams for the
different designs is "The Don Davis 'High Frontier' Artshow" at
http://ssi.org/?page_id=18

> I have not read Dr O' Neil's books or any other book on the subject.

Oh, I would consider "The High Frontier" to be essential grounding for
any discussion of orbital habitats. T. A. Heppenheimer's two books are
good also.

http://members.aol.com/oscarcombs/spacsetl.htm#Bibliography

Regards,

Mike Combs