Recent studies have fueled renewed interest in the concept of Dyson spheres, theoretical megastructures that could potentially harness the energy of entire stars.
This intriguing idea has led some scientists to speculate whether such structures could account for the universe’s missing matter. Despite the excitement, however, many experts remain skeptical about the existence of Dyson spheres and their role in explaining astronomical phenomena.
The concept of Dyson spheres
The idea of ​​Dyson spheres was first proposed by a physicist Freeman Dyson in 1960, inspired by the science fiction novel “Star Maker” by Olaf Stapledon. Dyson suggested that an advanced alien civilization could build huge structures around their stars to capture solar energy.
These structures, while blocking visible light from the star, would radiate infrared radiation, potentially making them detectable astronomers. “It could be plain old astrophysics at play,” said astrophysicist and science writer Dr. Ethan Siegel and emphasized the need for extraordinary evidence to support the existence of such megastructures.
The concept gained significant attention with the discovery the mysterious star KIC 8462852, also known as Boyajian’s star, which showed irregular and significant dips in brightness. Some have speculated that this could be due to an incomplete Dyson sphere, although this remains unconfirmed.
The missing matter in the universe
Astronomers have long been puzzled missing matter in space. There are two types of missing matter: dark matterwhich is necessary to explain the gravitational behavior of galaxies, and commonplaceprimarily composed of hydrogen and helium, which appear to be in short supply based on current observations.
While dark matter It is thought to consist of exotic particles, the lack of regular matter remains a mystery. Some have suggested that giant filaments of gas stretching between galaxies are to blame.
Could Dyson Spheres Explain Missing Matter?
Despite the fascinating nature Dyson spheres, are unlikely to account for the missing mass in the universe. Complete Dyson spheres that would completely surround a star are considered impractical due to the sheer amount of material required and the gravitational instability such structures would face.
Even if they were built, these balls probably would be very thin and unstable, which makes them unreliable. They are more believable Dyson swarms or rings, networks of solar energy-harvesting satellites orbiting a star. These structures would capture only a small fraction of the star’s light, making them easier to construct, but much less likely to account for the missing mass. Moreover, if such swarms were common, their infrared radiation should be detectable by telescopes such as this one James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). However, no such evidence has been found to suggest that they are widespread.
Recent observations and skepticism
A recent study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society they reported the discovery of the seven stars with unusual infrared signatures that may indicate Dyson spheres. Located within 1,000 light-years of Earth, these stars show thermal signatures that cannot yet be fully explained.
However, many experts remain skeptical. Dr. Janna Levin, a theoretical cosmologist at Barnard College, suggested that these signatures could be caused natural astrophysical phenomena such as collisions of planets or young stars with surrounding material. “Thermal signatures are so general in nature that it’s far from a smoking gun, and there are many possible natural explanations,” Levin told Salon.
Astrophysicist Dr. Erik Zackrisson, one of the study’s co-authors, echoed that skepticism, noting that while these stars are prime candidates for Dyson spheres so far, other explanations such as dust from cosmic events or background sources are also plausible. “These are the best candidates for Dyson spheres that we’ve come across so far, but that doesn’t mean they are Dyson spheres, or even that Dyson spheres are the most likely explanation for the phenomenon we’re seeing,” Zackrisson said.
The scientific value of the search
Despite the doubts, the search Dyson spheres has significant scientific value. It encourages the exploration of unconventional ideas and supports interdisciplinary research combining astrophysics, history and other disciplines. A potential discovery alien megastructures would be a breakthrough achievement that would change our understanding of the universe and the existence of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.
“What could be more exciting and existentially terrifying than the discovery of extraterrestrial life?” Levin reflected and emphasized the importance of keeping an open mind while maintaining scientific rigor. Dr. Siegel added, “It’s important to keep an open mind, and it’s easy to see why we get excited about the wildest possibilities. But without stronger evidence, this is just another example of people getting upset over what will almost certainly be the big nothing-burger.”
In conclusion, while Dyson spheres remain a fascinating theoretical concept, their existence as a solution to the universe’s missing mass is highly unlikely. However, the ongoing search for these megastructures continues to inspire scientific inquiry and the quest to understand the universe.