A prominent space scientist has put forward a theory regarding the potential whereabouts of extraterrestrial life. Benjamin Zuckerman, a retired astrophysicist from the United States, suggests that advanced alien civilizations could possibly reside near small, dense stars known as White Dwarfs.
Zuckerman’s article in Universe magazine argues that recent advancements in telescope technology enable scientists to identify possible alien outposts more easily. The controversial aspect of his theory revolves around the existence of Dyson Spheres, hypothetical massive alien structures that encompass a star to harness its energy. Despite extensive searches, no concrete evidence of Dyson Spheres has ever been found.
However, the detection of such structures would serve as a distinct characteristic of an advanced civilization capable of harnessing the resources of a planetary system. Zuckerman believes that white dwarfs offer the best chance of finding a Dyson sphere, as these structures would alter the infrared signatures of stars, making them readily detectable.
White dwarfs are abundant in our galaxy and emit substantial heat that could potentially be utilized by a Dyson sphere, providing sustenance for an entire civilization. The astronomer suggests that existing infrared data collected by satellites can be examined for potential signs of extraterrestrial life.
Telescopes such as Spitzer, WISE, TESS, and Kepler possess the capability to locate Dyson spheres, according to Zuckerman. He emphasizes the importance of using recent satellite data to begin exploring the frequency of such space-based civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy.
Zuckerman further speculates on the number of alien civilizations that might exist, estimating that less than 3% of habitable planets orbiting Sun-like stars are likely to host advanced extraterrestrial life. This would leave a substantial number of potential civilizations to investigate if his hypothesis proves accurate.
It’s worth noting that Zuckerman is no stranger to controversy, and his hypothesis is expected to generate disagreement. Many experts firmly assert that Dyson spheres are simply impossible. While the concept currently remains confined to science fiction, the construction of Dyson spheres is theoretically achievable if an advanced alien civilization were to be discovered.
