Ringworld's - Fact or Fiction?

What are your takes on ringworlds? are they fact (how so?), or are they mere fiction?

For those who have no idea what ringworlds are, I can say they are like the world in the computer game "Halo".

Halo?

Try Larry Niven's classic novel Ringworld.

That being said, the benefits of a Ringworld are far greater than those of a Dyson Sphere. I would assume any technologically advanced species would see this and go with that option over anything else. As for if they're possible? Yes, of course they are. Technially, anything is possible. Though, until we actually discover one, I'd say they're simply in the realms of fiction.

Here are the "technical" specifications of the orginal Ringworld:



[edit on 6/22/2006 by cmdrkeenkid]

I know, I saw it as the first result on Google when I searched for it, but as I haven't read the book, I coulden't exactly go about resembling the thread with it. Understand?

Ah, wasn't sure... I've met a fair share of people who think that the Halo was a new idea. It's a great book though, especially if you like hardcore sci-fi like that.

Unless I'm mistaken, it was Niven's "Ringworld" that had the Earth rotating in the wrong direction, at least in the first printing. Niven, an excellent writer, was quite embarrassed by this and included a forward about it in subsequent printings.

I've read much of his work, and thoroughly enjoyed every bit I've read. I'm particularly fond of his collaborations with Jerry Pournelle, who was an astrophysicist (I believe) at JPL when he was collaborating with Niven. One of the better works these two wrote together was a sci-fi take on Dante's inferno. Really good read. Also, they wrote a novel called "Lucifer's Hammer" about a comet impact on the Earth. Excellent as well.

Harte

Ringworld is one of my favorite books ever! Although larry nivens best works are his short stories, particularly the ones involved in his known universe. I think the error he made was the fact that his ringworld design wouldnt have worked without Y axis stablising (if the diameter of the ring is the X and Z) for which he wrote a forward in the Ringworlds sequel Ringworld Engineers. I havent heard of the earth's rotation mistake, before my time probably

I think the ringworld as a design for habitation is the ultimate dream for an advanced civilisation, but you gotta be pretty desperate to have the need to build one!!

It's not the point. With a ring, there is no equilibrium position in the plane of the ring. So while rotating, it will be wandering all around the star, one side coming closer then the other. Maybe that's what you meant.

oh yeah thats the one, its been a couple of years since i read it, cheers aelita

How do you people think such a world could be created? Based on your own fictional theories

First edition paperback came out in 1970. I have a first edition, but I haven't taken it out of the plastic out of fear.



Why do you think that? If you had the technology to better your civiliazation, wouldn't you?



Yeah, after the book came out people would chant at conventions Niven attended "The Ringworld is unstable!" His answer? In the sequel, The Ringworld Engineers, he said it was stabilized by attitude jets.



Mining all of the planets, moons, and all the other vagabonds out there for their resources. Then using something to create a superstrong material for the base of it - be it a Ringworld, Dyson Sphere, Alderson Disc, or anything else, that would be neccessary because of all of the stresses.

Thats a very interesting question, look at the fossil fuel driven world we're living in now!

But i think Niven touches on this point in the book, cant remember exactly, cost to build it, a massive operation to move all those people and set them up there, would be easier to colonise other planets (apart from that in the book the engineers didnt have faster than light travel) stuff like that.

Yeah, that could have been it. It's been awhile since I've read those books, so I think I'll have to start on them once again.

And despite not having FTL, the Protectors did have crude Bussard Ramjets, which was a step on that direction.

but the protectors live until they choose to stop eating, so faster than light is not important to them!

but back to the point, i think a dyson sphere might be a bit better because you can absorb potentially 100% of the suns energy and more surface area to live on but it's more difficult to build.