Geoff Marcy has received a grant to look for Dyson spheres

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by RAMA, Nov 1, 2012.

  1. RAMA

    RAMA Admiral Admiral

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    http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=25064

    Again, science melds with science fiction.


    Wouldn't it be fascinating if our first confirmation of artificial construction and therefore intelligent life came through Dyson spheres rather than alien radio signals?
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2012
  2. Mr. Adventure

    Mr. Adventure Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Mr. Adventure
    What, not Death Stars and Borg Cubes? Priorities, people!
     
  3. The Green Mushroom

    The Green Mushroom Commander Red Shirt

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    I like the idea, I really do.

    But can we tell with current technology the difference between a Dyson Sphere or even a nonsensical Dyson Shell from a regular old dim or small star? Or would a Dyson Sphere's star appear as otherwise normal star that was clearly dimmed?
     
  4. YellowSubmarine

    YellowSubmarine Vice Admiral Admiral

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    My guess is that a Dyson shell would irradiate all the energy it received from the star at a much lower frequency in the spectrum. A Dyson swarm might be more difficult to detect, depending on how dense the swarm is. If I had to make a guess I'd say that any plausible Dyson swarm will be close to undetectable – I don't think that building megastructures detectable at those distances is possible. But if a civilisation had billions of years focusing on them, it might be.
     
  5. Ronald Held

    Ronald Held Vice Admiral Admiral

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    It is worth trying for that small amount of funds.