Sonnet XXXII
The Space Station's Massive Solar Arrays
Sonnet XXXII
The Space Station’s golden solar arrays
squeeze out the last morsel of energy
from each orbit. An instrument surveys
all dosages of power at every
diurnal spin as they revolve around
the planet. Large measures of power will
be sucked into the batteries. Compound
silicon solar cells dominate. Still,
it is the rotary joint that lets
the panels track the sun and seize
the rays. ISS spins until it sets
into shadow. It performs this with ease
just like a geometry, zipping all through
limited plasma fields of cobalt blue.
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This comes from @Astro_Ron ‘s (Ron Garan) http://twitpic.com/4s3pix
This was a difficult sonnet to write in that it contained many engineering concepts. In general, it’s easier to incorporate science into poetry than it is to incorporate engineering.
Posted on:
Open Link Night, Week 26
Posted on May 19, 2011, in Poetry, Sonnets and tagged batteries, cobalt, diurnal, energy, engineering, garan, iss, joint, orbit, panels, planet., plasma, power, rays, ron, rotary, shakespearean, solar, sonnet, space, station, sun, track. Bookmark the permalink. 32 Comments.
Verification wastes my time, and often doesn't work. I am going to stop commenting on pages that require verification one of these days.
ZONGRIK 
Lovely how you can make my world spin with words.
My world spin with words. I like that. In this way, the astronauts make my world spin with their pictures.
Incredible and the “engineering” of this Sonnet is so rewarding…love this, such a unique take on poetry… =)
Thanks. I like how you said the engineering of the Sonnet. I wish I thought of that!
Oh, super cool! This is the pic you asked me to paint. I really should! Tammy, I am deeply impressed (as always) with your Sonnet. I’m amazed at your unique perspectives and way of looking at space. I learn so much!
My favorite line from this is: “The Space Station’s golden solar arrays
squeeze the last morsel of energy
from each orbit”
Superb!
To be honest, if you go to the site above, Ron Garan says,”squeezing the last bit of energy from this orbit.” I changed it a bit to fit the meter and fit the mood of the sonnet. He speaks specifically of that event, I made the sonnet more of a universal event for the function of the solar panels. I needed his perspective to even understand what the picture was about.
Thanks you so much for your kind comment and support.
This is extremely cool! Well crafted & written!
Thank you for your comment. It wasn’t very easy.
I can only imagine the difficulties within that piece.
I can imagine this being read out on discovery science as the animation rotates
Wow, that’s so nice of you to say. Of course, if it’s read, it should be read in a perfect BBC accent.
Well done. Science sonnets are cool!
nice…you make a bit of science come to life…
you know, i am working on a poem with my son for a science project and we came by the other day and read a few of yours….smiles….thought you might appreciate that…happy OLN
You did such a great job making this subject poetic! Wonderfully pieced ~ Rose
As I said in my annotation, it was not easy, not easy at all.
Incredible and creative! I think this should be read to students to spark an interest in science and engineering. Nice job!
What a nice thing to say. Thanks. 🙂
very well written,Tammy again the last does it for me.”zipping all through limited plasma fields of cobalt blue” Wow.
i just love your galactic poetry tammy..
Like the thought of it setting into a shadow, another great space filled verse.
I love how you entertain, teach, and make us think with each of these sonnets, Tammy. But, beyond that, the talent, skill and joy you demonstrate in each piece, this one included, always blows me away.
cool …..so clever making even a space stations orbit sound so appealing …thank you for sharing x
cleverly crafted sonnet… you are just brilliant. 🙂
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/nightlights/
Wonderful and inventive and timeless. Thanks!
You did a splendid job incorporating engineering terms into this sonnet
This a wonderful bit of information, cleverly disguised as a quite awesome poem!
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/the-sun-came-up-again-4/
I like this: “An instrument surveys
all dosages of power at every
diurnal spin as they revolve”
And the alliteration here:
“silicon solar cells dominate. Still,”
http://rosemarymint.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/crux-matter/
You make the universe a global village, Tammy, with your creative poetry and engineering of the galaxies.. Thank you 🙂
You did a fine job.. yes, engineering into poetry? not an easy task but you did it quite well..
much enjoyed your word play..
lynne
you stole my mind and brought me into space:)
lovely write!!! 😉
~L
Nice how you bring such feeling to a piece of technology.