
In 1960, the idea of a megastructure enclosing a star, once proposed by physicist Freeman Dyson, was seen as science fiction.

Today, scientists are exploring the idea that Dyson Spheres could potentially exist and may be hidden within existing astronomical data.

Recent research has identified stars showing unusual levels of infrared heat, possibly indicating the presence of these theoretical cosmic structures.

The light from seven M dwarf stars, which are smaller and cooler than our Sun and lie within a relatively close 1,000 light-years from Earth, is shining with an unexpected spike in infrared wavelengths.

This intriguing discovery led by astute astronomers has opened the gateway to ponder if what we’re seeing might be the byproducts of highly advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.

Imagine, across the cosmic expanse, a civilization so advanced that they have encased their stars in swarms of solar collectors, harnessing vast amounts of energy.

These structures, known as Dyson Spheres or Swarms, are so massive that they could emit waste heat detectable as infrared radiation.

The first tantalizing signs of this possibility emerged from data from nearly five million stars collected by the Gaia satellite, the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).

The presence of these infrared excesses (IEEs) could also stem from natural celestial phenomena, like dust disks or nebulas.

However, the level of excess detected is so significant that it has led scientists to hypothesize other potential explanations.

One study proposes that if these readings are indeed indications of Dyson Spheres, it suggests an advanced civilization that could, theoretically, be tapping into their star’s energy.

A separate research paper, accepted by the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has zeroed in on the intriguing notion of partial Dyson Spheres.

The construction complexities of a full Dyson Sphere are immense, but partial constructs, such as a swarm of individual energy-harvesting satellites, may be more feasible.

These partial structures could also explain the mysterious infrared data, consistent with temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius (750 degrees Fahrenheit), indicative of a substantial structure encircling a portion of these stars.

The search for these cosmic oddities is not just a hunt for potential signs of alien life but also serves to expand our understanding of rare and unusual star systems. While several natural processes can produce similar excesses of infrared light, the peculiar circumstances around these M dwarf stars elude straightforward explanation.
Relevant articles:
– Alien Energy-Collecting Megastructures May Have Been Detected Around Stars, Newsweek
– Dyson spheres: Alien power plants may be drawing energy from 7 stars in the Milky Way, The Independent
– Two New Searches Find 60 Potential “Alien Megastructures” In Our Galaxy, IFLScience
– Astronomers find 60 Dyson sphere candidates, among millions of searched stars, EarthSky