AMSLER@SRI-AI.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP (08/12/83)
From: Robert Amsler <AMSLER@SRI-AI.ARPA> I happened to check my nearby dictionary, and just as I suspected. The ``solar'' system is defined as ``The sun with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it''. I.e. SOL, our sun, is built into the definition -- hence, Vega doesn't have a ``solar system'', but a ``stellar system''. Of course---there is one other definition of ``solar system'', namely a collection of solar panels to heat a home... :-) -------
hamilton@uiucuxc.UUCP (08/22/83)
#R:sri-arpa:-415500:uiucuxc:12600008:000:69 uiucuxc!hamilton Aug 21 18:52:00 1983 or, if we send a probe to Vega, will it need Vegan panels for power?
REM@MIT-MC@sri-unix.UUCP (08/27/83)
From: Robert Elton Maas <REM @ MIT-MC>
Date: 22 Aug 83 5:33:03-PDT (Mon)
From: pur-ee!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!hamilton @ Ucb-Vax
or, if we send a probe to Vega, will it need Vegan panels for power?
Indeed, "solar cells" etc. are misnomers, since the light shinging on
them can be an artificial source or another star instead of the Sun
(Sol). Let's all call them "light-to-electric tranducers" ok? "Look at
this new apartment building along Bayshore freeway, with
light-to-electric tranducers all along the roof."
I guess eventually we'll have to change "solar" to be something else,
just like we changed the names of our planets and the constellations
to no longer be references to Greek mythology.
<partly tongue in cheek in case you missed it>Katz.UCI@Rand-Relay@sri-unix.UUCP (08/29/83)
The proper term for a "light-to-electric transducer" is a photovoltaic cell. It is a generic term which includes all such transducers and includes both generators (solar cells) and sensors (e.g. electric eye door openers).