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UNIVERSE · RESEARCH

Dyson spheres: how do scientists search for possible technosignatures?

Could a technological civilisation leave observable traces? Technosignatures are signals that scientists study to explore this question.

Sun observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory · Credit: NASA / GSFC / Solar Dynamics Observatory · NASA image record ↗
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A theoretical idea

Structures called Dyson spheres are a theoretical idea: they would collect part of a star’s energy. We have no observations demonstrating that they exist.

Heat as a possible clue

A structure collecting energy would also have to release some of it as heat. Excess infrared radiation can, however, have several causes, including natural material or background sources.

What is a candidate?

A candidate is a source worthy of study, not proof of an alien structure. Interpreting a signal requires checking the data and comparing alternative explanations.