Alien civilizations potentially utilizing Dyson Swarms could pose a significant concern, according to a recent research study.
In a recent study published in The Astrophysical Journal, theoretical astronomer Brian C Lacki of the Breakthrough Listen Initiative delves into the plausibility of Dyson swarms, a concept for a megastructure that could harness a significant amount of a star's energy.
Dyson swarms, unlike solid Dyson spheres, are composed of numerous smaller orbiting elements. This design avoids the enormous material stress of a rigid structure, but it leaves these swarms vulnerable to rapid destruction by collision cascades. Without continuous active upkeep, such swarms are likely to be short-lived on cosmic timescales.
The study suggests that Dyson swarms may be detectable around certain star types. Current research and candidate searching have found potential Dyson swarms or spheres mostly around M-type (red dwarf) stars due to their longevity and relative stability in the habitable zone. However, debris disk phenomena must be carefully distinguished from such structures.
Lacki notes that the vast distances and time differences between civilizations make it challenging to observe them, especially if their technosignatures (signs of advanced technology) have short lifespans. If maintained, a Dyson swarm around an M-dwarf star could theoretically persist for around 1,000 years.
On the other hand, Dyson swarms around red giants would cascade after 5.3 × 10 years, while red supergiants would cause a cascade after 8.4 × 10 years. White dwarfs could only host a Dyson swarm for 0.00018 years. A Dyson swarm around a K-dwarf star would last longer, but specific timeframes are not yet universally agreed upon.
Lacki also raises a concern about the potential impact of Dyson swarms on any other potential lifeforms in their vicinity. The collisional cascade in a Dyson swarm can result in a rapid growth of potentially dangerous fragments, similar to the Kessler syndrome observed in Earth's satellite debris environment.
Previously, searches for Dyson spheres and signs of advanced alien civilizations have not yielded any results, with all explanations found being natural phenomena like "hot DOGs." These structures could potentially provide a civilization with a vast energy supply for their technological projects.
In summary, without active maintenance, Dyson swarms are vulnerable to rapid destruction by collision cascades and may survive only a relatively short time on cosmic scales. With active control and repair, swarms could persist for millions of years, especially around stable stars like M dwarfs, which are good candidates for such megastructures. Solid Dyson spheres are considered impractical due to material and gravitational strains, making swarms the preferred conceptual model.
- The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, discusses Dyson swarms, a potential megastructure concept in space-and-astronomy, which could be composed of numerous smaller orbiting elements in space.
- If maintained, a Dyson swarm around an M-dwarf star could theoretically persist for approximately 1,000 years, according to theoretical astronomer Brian C Lacki of the Breakthrough Listen Initiative.
- Lacki also mentions a potential concern about the impact of Dyson swarms on any potential lifeforms in their vicinity, citing the possibility of a rapid growth of dangerous fragments, similar to the Kessler syndrome observed in Earth's satellite debris environment.
- Current research has found potential Dyson swarms or spheres mostly around M-type (red dwarf) stars, due to their longevity and relative stability in the habitable zone, but specific timeframes for Dyson swarms around other star types are not yet universally agreed upon.
