Dyson Spheres
Discussions center on the concept of Dyson spheres and swarms, debating their feasibility for advanced civilizations, detectability via infrared emissions, efficiency compared to alternatives like fusion, and why they might not be built or observed.
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Why aren't they building Dyson spheres?
Easier and cheaper than a Dyson sphere?
A Dyson sphere seems unlikely. If a civilization were capable of it, they would be capable of far more efficient energy schemes - controlling fusion directly, in the quantities they desired (instead of in whatever units a star offered) and where they desired.
If someone built Dyson spheres / swarms, they cannot hide from us even now. Unless it's possible to cheat thermodynamics.
Cool idea, but http://io9.com/5797597/are-we-surrounded-by-dyson-spheres
Even a Dyson sphere can't just swallow the star's radiation. It makes use of a potential gradient, which means it would have to radiate away some energy on the outside. This would probably show up as, say, a brown dwarf. Still, if it's not in our direct neighborhood the chances of us discovering it are even lower.
No mention of a Dyson sphere[1]? I hope we are witnessing the construction of one![1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_sphere
Dyson sphere you mean? We are centuries away from achieving anything like that...
Ceteris paribus, it would build its Dyson sphere out of us.
Also a Dyson sphere is a stretchIt's based on our limited view of thinking that that's the best way of harnessing all energy neededDo you really think someone with a very advanced technology needs to surround an existing star to get all the energy they need?They'll probably need less energy than we do, and have more smart ways of getting it (probably with Fusion, but on a small scale)