Norwegian Town Using Sun-Tracking Mirrors To Light Up Dark Winter Days

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday July 24, 2013 @09:31PM from the light-up-my-life dept.

oritonic1 writes "During their long, cold winters, the Norwegian town of Rjukan doesn't enjoy much by way of daylight—so the town (population 3,386), installed three giant sun-tracking mirrors to shine a steady light over a 2000 square foot circle of the town square. From Popular Mechanics: 'Call it a mood enhancer. Or a tourist attraction. But the mirrors, which will be carried in via helicopter, will provide an oasis of light in an otherwise bleak location at the center of the 3500-population town. Three mirrors with a total surface area of about 538 square feet will sit at an angle to redirect winter sun down into the town, lighting up over 2150 square feet of concentrated space in the town square. A similar idea exists in the Italian village of Viganella, which has used brushed steel to reflect light since 2006.'"

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Re:I am glad I don't have to do this... by Anachragnome · 2013-07-24 23:55 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Any ideas on why we are reading about Norwegians tracking the sun when the following article now sits on the third page of the submissions Firehose?
"NSA Still Funded to Spy On US Phone Records,Vote Fails
Submitted by turp182 on Wednesday July 24, 2013 @03:58PM
turp182 writes
"The Amash Amendment (#100) to HR 2397 (DOD appropriations bill) failed to pass the House of Representatives (this link will change tomorrow, it is the current day activity of the House) at 6:54PM EST today, meaning it will not be added to the appropriations bill. The amendment would have specifically defunded the bulk collection of American phone records.
Roll call may not be available until tomorrow.
Subjective: Let freedom be reigned."
Read the 3 comments"
One of the comments has the vote tally for each House Member.