Re: Expanding Shields/Statis Shields

At 04:54 PM 4/4/97 -0500, Brian Bell wrote:
>The Langston field originaly was a set size. As it absorbed energy and
>converted it to Heat energy, the heat energy bled off into space (a
>questionable prospect in space). The idea behind the Motie expanding
field
>was that as the field absorbed engergy, it increased in size providing
a
>greater surface area to blead the heat. As the energy was blead off,
the
>shield contracted back to the "standard" size.
  Heat can be disapated in space, it's called radiant heat, the same
heat
you feel on your face when a fire rages in your fireplace.  It is more
efficient to heat your house by allowing the heated gas (air) flow
through
your house by allowing the coals to burn.  By the way in the sequel we
find
that there are times when having an expanding shield is very bad, like
inside a red dwarf where the larger your sheild the more heat it
absorbs...
You also increase your target ratio that way...
  Phil P.