Is it possible to melt the polar ice by focussing a convex lens from African Equatorial Position where there is enough sunshine? Lens will focus sunbeam from Equator to Polar.
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 5
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No
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Yes
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Though I see where you're getting it, I can't see it actually working.
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I don't think you can find a straight line to the equator to the pole that doesn't go through the earth. Even if there was a clear path, wouldn't the air in the atmosphere absorb most of the heat energy before it got to the pole?
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No. The size of the lens, the weight and height of the support structure would be so heavy and tall that it would throw the Earth off its axis. It would take a huge lens, extending over the curvature of the equator to do this. Impossible for all practical purposes. Stick to lighting matches on the sidewalk with your magnifying glass.! It would be easier to laser beam the ice cap from space or to construct a huge concave reflector in a polar orbit to reflect solar heat.
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