AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iui14zu wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:18 PM

Reply to comment by tv_walkman in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

So white dwarves and neutron stars?

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iuhm4ms wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:14 PM

Reply to comment by phoboid in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

Is there some sort of catalog of existing reflectors available for each wavelength band, and what incidence they can use?

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iufro4v wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Reply to comment by somneuronaut in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

> fields that are higher density than solid materials.

I literally do not comprehend the concept. Is there some sort of relativistic mass-energy equivalence stuff going on whereby energy density might as well be mass density or…?

I'm completely out of my depth, here.

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iufoexp wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:34 PM

Reply to comment by _AlreadyTaken_ in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

> Gamma rays might end up interacting with the surface and having pair production (coverting to an electron snd positron) before reaching the neutron density layer.

Is there a way of estimating how much of the gamma radiation would make it to the neutron density layer?

Also is that hot iron in the form of vapor rather than plasma?

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iufnnci wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:28 PM

Reply to comment by ehj in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

> a plasma with a higher density than solid materials

> Perhaps in some astrophysical extreme circumstances you can find something like this.

Does the iron vapor 'atmosphere' at the surface of neutron stars count?

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iufifw1 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 10:51 PM

Reply to comment by Baschoen23 in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

> Unbelievable

SEE THE INVISIBLE, REACH THE UNREACHABLE
RAW RAW FIGHT THE POWER
COUNT THE UNCOUNTABLE, WEIGH THE INTANGIBLE
RAW RAW FIGHT THE POWER

AlarmingAffect0 OP t1_iudo3jg wrote on October 30, 2022 at 3:23 PM

Reply to comment by Busterwasmycat in Is there such a thing as a gamma radiation mirror? by AlarmingAffect0

> You would have to get into subatomic matter and such materials do not cluster in large enough masses to create an important obstruction.

I suppose Neutron Stars might reflect Gamma then? Though the point would be moot unless one could direct enough gamma towards the surface of one that the reflection would be appreciable compared to the vast amounts of energy it already radiates.

> basic optics is, because of optical mineralogy and coloration of minerals

Having done some optical mineralogy in Uni, I have nothing but respect for those who are actually comfortable with the study of crystalline structures and how we could guess them out using various frequencies of electromagnetic radiations. That sort of stuff was practically opaque to me, pun intended. I remember trying to read an explanation of why Calcite did its double refraction thingie and coming out more confused than when I came in.

On the other hand, historical geology is very intuitive to understand and it really feels amazing to be able to make rather reliable educated guesses as to why our world looks the way it does. It's truly wondrous stuff.

Anyway, Geologists, severely underrated, need more hype.