Every farm has an infra-red lamp to warm a lamb or calf.

But imagine a future where the sunshine continues into the night, helping crops to grow.

That’s exactly what Reflect Orbital is planning to do.

The California company plans to put solar reflectors – essentially giant mirrors – in space to reflect sunlight at night, extending solar panel usage and growing hours.

Four thousand mirrors, no less.

Astronomers are voicing concern that it would blur the night sky. Nature scientists are worried about how it will affect animal and plant behaviour, with potential side-effects on bird migration, flowering out of season, and seasonal insect cycles.