I just spent 10 minutes explaining an idea for a starship in my story that uses an artificial neutron star as a power source…

I got about mid way through, and she looks at me amused “I love your faith in me. What’s a neutron star, how do you artificially make one, and why is it a good power source? Nevermind, I need to shower. Thanks for having faith in me though!”

🤣

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Convivial · 26-30, F

How to contain something so dense...

Zaphod42 · 46-50, M

@Convivial Magnetic compression fields

Convivial · 26-30, F

@Zaphod42 they still have to be "held" by a construct though... They won't make mass disappear

Zaphod42 · 46-50, M

@Convivial Its the same concept as a fusion reactor holding the “mini star” in place using magnetic fields. The difference only being that the size is much larger, and in space you don’t have to contend with gravity

Convivial · 26-30, F

@Zaphod42 agreed, except that plasma in fusion doesn't have the mass of neutronium...

Zaphod42 · 46-50, M

@Convivial Fair point, and I’m taking some liberties to be sure, but the civilization in question is significantly more advanced than we are currently, so I’m giving them the ability to hold an artificial neutron star in place with magnetic compression fields. It’s theoretically possible, just out of reach of our current technology.

Convivial · 26-30, F

@Zaphod42 good luck with your story... And sorry if i came across as being nit picking

Zaphod42 · 46-50, M

@Convivial Nit picking is helpful really…I’m shooting for hard science fiction, so if I’m getting a thing wrong, it’s better to know before it’s committed to a plot point 🙂

Convivial · 26-30, F

@Zaphod42 that's a good attitude to have...i do wish you success... Maybe make it a very small neutron star lol