A scientist suggests that Dyson spheres and rings could plausibly exist in certain star systems based on research into celestial mechanics. These structures could be stable if surrounded by stars of specific sizes and gravitational forces. In a recent publication in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, a scientist explores the theoretical existence of Dyson spheres and rings on a cosmic scale. These structures have symbolized advanced civilizations capable of harnessing the energy of entire stars to power their artificial intelligence and computational needs. The paper by engineer Colin McInnes from the University of Glasgow delves into the possibilities of making these superstructures feasible by incorporating various celestial bodies to stabilize them.
To comprehend the significance of this research, it is essential to trace back to James Clark Maxwell’s work in the 1850s on Saturn’s rings. Maxwell’s calculations demonstrated that Saturn’s rings could not be a uniform solid, but rather a collection of material held together by gravity. Building upon this foundation, McInnes utilizes mathematical models to identify scenarios where Dyson rings could potentially exist. By applying principles from the three-body problem in celestial mechanics, McInnes suggests that the combination of stars in binary or multiple systems could provide the necessary conditions for Dyson structures to remain stable.
McInnes categorized these situations as the ring-restricted and shell-restricted three-body problems. Through thorough computations and definitions, he identified seven configurations in each scenario where equilibrium could be achieved. In simpler terms, these are stable positions where the surrounding ring or shell of one of the bodies remains intact despite the intersecting gravitational forces. For a Dyson sphere to be stable, McInnes determined that it must encompass the smallest star in the set. In the case of rings, the three stars should be relatively similar in size, and the rings should be positioned within a specific distance range from the center of the star.
While contemplating these concepts may be entertaining for space enthusiasts, there are practical implications as well. McInnes points out that the discovery of passively stable orbits for such large-scale structures could have significance for SETI studies. Essentially, if scientists identify systems that meet the stability criteria for a Dyson ring or sphere proposed by McInnes, they should intensify their search for indications that these systems might harbor one of these massive constructs. An advanced civilization capable of constructing such structures would likely possess the knowledge to locate optimal construction sites.
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