The scientist declared the reality of giant alien space constructions

Giant space structures that hypothetical civilizations could use to harness the energy of stars or even move them may be feasible from the standpoint of physics. This is the conclusion reached by research engineer Colin McInnes from the University of Glasgow. The work has been published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).

The subject concerns so-called megastructures—for example, "stellar engines" and Dyson spheres. They have long been discussed in science fiction and astronomy as possible projects of highly advanced civilizations.

A stellar engine is a massive structure capable of using the radiation pressure of a star to alter its orbit and move the entire system through space. It is assumed that such technologies could save a civilization from cosmic catastrophes.

A Dyson sphere is a system of numerous reflective elements surrounding a star and collecting its energy. Theoretically, it allows for harvesting significantly more energy than any planetary sources.

Until now, the question remained open: can such structures exist without constant control, or will they inevitably collapse under the influence of gravity and radiation?

McInnes showed that in their simplest form, such structures are indeed unstable. However, with a certain configuration, they can maintain stability over a very long period of time.

For example, a stellar engine becomes stable if the bulk of the mass is concentrated in a ring supporting the reflective surface. And a Dyson "bubble" can be stable if it consists of a vast number of lightweight elements forming a dense cloud in which gravity and radiation pressure balance each other.

Such calculations are important not only for theory. If similar structures exist, they may leave noticeable traces—so-called technosignatures.

According to the scientist, megastructures may produce an excess of infrared radiation or unusual changes in a star's spectrum, which would make it possible to search for them through astronomical observations.

Furthermore, the author suggests that such objects could exist even without their creators—as "cosmic ruins" that have outlived their civilizations.

The research shows that ideas previously considered pure fantasy do not, in principle, contradict the laws of physics and may aid in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.