Spokes

The spokes each have four rows of windows that run the length of the 300 kilometer muscle. They provide light for the vertical forests that are attached to the muscle. The windows were noted by Robin as being 'at least a kilometer in diameter', so I made 'em two kilometers in diameter. Their number and placement aren't sited in the books so I put eighteen to a row (keeping a nice 'six' theme) and arranged them so the light would form an 'X' pattern that crosses in the center (as sited in Titan).

This set of pics illustrates two sets of dimensions given. Usually sited as having a cross section that is nearly a hundred kilometers by fifty kilometers, the dimensions are given more specifically as 90 kilometers by 50 kilometers when Cirocco and Gaby are actually walking on the lower valve. The pics on the left show the spoke with a cross section 100 kilometers by 50 kilometers. The pics on the right show the spoke with dimensions of 90 by 50 kilometers.

This model was created first with the 100 x 50 spokes. When I did a little homework and found the 90 x 50 notations, I retro-fitted the model with the 90 x 50 spokes. Generally, any renders done inside the spoke or of the verical forests will use the 90 x 50 spokes for accuracy.

I'd gotten so used to the 100x50 spokes that I didn't want to abandon them, but I've grown fond of the 90x50 - it has a softer curve that fits better with the overall look. When in doubt, listen to Varley, the man knows his wheel gods. I confess that when making the model, I assumed I'd find mistakes. Truth is, if I do find something that's not working, I consult the books and find that I was using the wrong figures - applying his figures always fixes the problem.

The Big Drop