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Searching for Dyson spheres is not too different from searching for other hypothetical astronomical objects. Maybe it is a low-stakes analysis you could put som
by captainmuon 5y ago
Searching for Dyson spheres is not too different from searching for other hypothetical astronomical objects. Maybe it is a low-stakes analysis you could put some students on, so they learn something. Data collection, statistical methods, paper writing is all identical to "traditional" searches. I come from particle physics, and we did quite a few searches for very weird particles that, I admit, didn't believe in. But it was quick to retool the search for more plausible models.
Also I think science works the way that you use your fantasy to come up with outlandish things, and then try to rule them out with logic.
- dillondoyle 5y agoHow do you find one? Is it similar to a black hole where you can detect the gravity, but can't see any of the energy coming from the covered sun?
- terramex 5y agoDyson sphere would emit significant amount of infrared light but no visible light. Original Freeman Dyson's paper from 1960 was titled "Search for Artificial Stellar Sources of Infrared Radiation" https://sci-hub.ee/10.1126/science.131.3414.1667 https://sci-hub.ee/10.1126/science.131.3414.1667
- ncmncm 5y agoWhen somebody got a telescope that could, they found there were way more sources of infrared radiation than visible stars.
- dillondoyle 5y agoCool. maybe James Webb will find one ;)