TNO = trans neptunian object, basically far out dwarf planet

Obviously there would be less sun to greenhouse, but theoretically could that be a way to have closer-to-earth habitats far away from a star?

edit: the TNO does not have to be like Pluto, it can be bigger or have different conditions

  • abbotsbury@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    3·
    1 day ago

    Not Pluto specifically, in fact “TNO like Pluto” was kind of a misspeak because mass and density are flexible. I basically just want a slightly-more-habitable place than the average terrestrial world and work backwards from there. Things like moons of gas giants are explored, but I was thinking how to make things even more remote.

    • Carrolade@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      22 hours ago

      How about a space station? Lot easier to keep things livable if you just contain everything. Would probably end up being easier to build a station and fly it out there than try to terraform something that distant.

    • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      Well, if you want an atmosphere to start with, might try running numbers for sulfur hexafluoride. I don’t know if it’d be your best option, but I’d guess that it’d be up there if you can keep the object warm enough for it to be a gas.

      https://www.epa.gov/eps-partnership/sulfur-hexafluoride-sf6-basics

      Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is a synthetic fluorinated compound with an extremely stable molecular structure. Because of its unique dielectric properties, electric utilities rely heavily on SF₆ in electric power systems for voltage electrical insulation, current interruption, and arc quenching in the transmission and distribution of electricity. Yet it is also the most potent greenhouse gas known to date. Over a 100-year period, SF₆ is 23,500 times more effective at trapping infrared radiation than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

      I don’t know how to calculate albedo, but I’m sure that there are Web pages out there talking about it.

      EDIT: If all you care about is keeping the body warm via solar radiation and you don’t care about it specifically using purely the greenhouse effect, you could use space mirrors in orbit.