Explain the rotation and positioning of O'Neill cylinders to me

I have seen Isaac Arthurs video of O'Neill cylinders and read through many descriptions, but it still is not clear to me how exaclty the two counter-rotating cylinders are placed in regard to another and in regard to the sun.

I sort of imagined the cylinders to connect on their short site, when I first read about it. Than this reappearing picture shows them spread rather far apart; how do they even connect here?

Minute 8:50 in Isaac Arthurs video shows two cylinders connecting on the long-side, but unmoving. Is the long side ment to connect all along its length or merely in the middel? Do I have to imagine a stable shell, like a package of Twix, with the two twix counter-rotating inside?

Also, non of these graphics make it clear to me how I have to envision the position of the cylinders in regard to the sun; is the short- or the long-side facing the sun? I get the wireframe globes, the whole thing has to move, but how would a single unit be placed?

posted about 5 years ago

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