Activity for Mike Nichols‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Question	—	Vertical cyclones in a rotating space habitat A common, matter-efficient, science-fiction habitat is a hollow cylinder or ring in space that is spun to simulate the pull of gravity on its interior surface. While for most purposes this artificial gravity acts just like what we are used to on Earth there will be observable differences between the ... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Question	—	How much hydrogen and oxygen can I add to an atmosphere before it explodes? Hydrogen and oxygen gases can be combined to form water and a lot of heat. As with many exothermic reactions, the heat from this process can provide activation energy to the reaction of more H2 with more O2 in a runaway process commonly referred to as an explosion. I would like an atmosphere rich in ... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Question	—	Can you catch a spaceship with a train on the Moon? In Kim Stanley Robinson's new novel Red Moon the first few pages describe a method of Earth-to-Moon transportation that I had not encountered before. The idea is to use a magnetically levitated and accelerated train on the surface of the Moon to catch a spaceship from Earth flying by the Moon at thou... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Question	—	Alien Senses: Active electrolocation In the course of designing fictional species I often find myself wishing to use exotic senses which we humans lack. This poses a unique and interesting challenge as without possessing the sense myself I find it very difficult to understand what they can perceive. For the same reasons one can't descri... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	How large does a human's plastron need to be? I'm referring to an entomological plastron which is a structure that traps a bubble of air next to the insect's body but permits contact between the air and the water. As the insect consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide the carbon dioxide diffuses out of the bubble into the water and oxygen dif... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	A self-eclipsing orbital ring A common, matter-efficient science-fiction habitat is a hollow cylinder or ring in space that is spun to simulate the pull of gravity on its interior surface. These habitats have been imagined as small as a spaceship, mere meters in radius, up to a ringworld, 1 AU in radius. This question pertains t... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	Prevailing winds on a rotating space habitat A common, matter-efficient science-fiction habitat is a hollow cylinder or ring in space that is spun to simulate the pull of gravity on its interior surface. These habitats have been imagined as small as a spaceship, mere meters in radius, up to a ringworld, 1 AU in radius. Say we have a rotating ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	How tall do atmosphere retaining walls on rotating space habitats need to be? A common, matter-efficient science-fiction habitat is a hollow cylinder or ring in space that is spun to simulate the pull of gravity on its interior surface. These habitats have been imagined as small as a spaceship, mere meters in radius, up to a ringworld, 1 AU in radius. As these habitats incre... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	How would a tripedal animal walk? Animals on Earth have 2 or 4 legs they use for walking. On another world, however, animals have 3. I want to know how these animals will walk. How will their legs be placed and how will they move them to walk? For instance, maybe they would have 2 legs in front and one in the back, 1 in front and 2 i... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	Detecting an Alien Civilization on a Nearby Planet This question is inspired by NASA's recent TRAPPIST-1 announcement. Imagine two planets orbiting a star with orbits very close together. At the nearest point in their respective orbits they are only 1 million kilometers apart. Both planets lie in the habitable zone and both will evolve sentient life.... (more)	—	almost 8 years ago
Question	—	How to build a telescope using gravitational lensing? A Type II civilization on the Kardashev scale has decided to build a telescope. This civilization spans its home galaxy and wields vast energies capable of moving and shaping matter on the scale of solar masses. They have decided to use these powers to arrange black holes into a telescope the likes o... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	How tall can a tree grow? In my fantasy world I want fantastically large trees, particularly in the height category. The tallest trees on earth grow just over 100 meters tall. Why can't they get taller? What circumstances would allow a tree to grow taller? Currently I'm growing my trees in micro-gravity, in a sterile environ... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Question	—	Could a Dwarven Civilization Exist? Could a Dwarven society as described by Tolkien mythology actually work? Dwarves for the purposes of this question are short, stout, bearded men and women who live primarily underground. They have a medieval level of technology although perhaps some advanced metallurgy techniques. They mine deep into... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Question	—	How would the human body develop under a different gravity? What would be the effects of high or low gravity on human body development? How would the human body develop under a different gravity? Many science fiction stories explore the idea that people from low gravity environments would be taller and slimmer, whereas people from higher gravity environments ... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Question	—	What would the weather be like in an asteroid habitat? The idea of hollowing out asteroids, spinning them on their longest axis, and filling them with air, water, and soil is common in science fiction (Rendezvous with Rama, or 2312 for good examples). Completely enclosed, the asteroid is an entirely self-sufficient microcosm. It should look something lik... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Question	—	What would happen to a planet that was electrically charged? If a planet had such a large imbalance of protons and electrons that it possessed a net negative or positive charge what would happen to it and its solar system? First, could it be stable, or would it simply disintegrate? Would the charge act against the pull of gravity and make everything on the su... (more)	—	about 10 years ago