Chapter 1: The Concept of Dyson Spheres

Many are familiar with the concept of Dyson spheres, which can be constructed around stars like our sun for efficient energy collection. However, it's intriguing to consider that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might also create these structures around black holes, tapping into a virtually limitless energy source.

[Photo: Conceptual depiction of a Dyson sphere, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

In the iconic series "Doctor Who," there are portrayals of civilizations harnessing energy from within black holes, a concept that scientists assert is theoretically feasible. If such activities occur elsewhere in the cosmos, we might one day be able to identify them.

As civilization's energy needs escalate, they may surpass the total energy available on Earth. In the 1960s, physicist Freeman Dyson proposed that advanced species could construct spheres around stars to capture all the energy emitted by them. This idea was later echoed in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," where such civilizations resided within these artificial "cocoons." Unlike rigid structures, which would collapse under gravity, these would be dynamic assemblies of satellites.

Physicists have determined that these spherical swarms of satellites would be relatively straightforward to detect. An external observer could identify a thermal radiation source in space that lacks visible light, indicating an artificial origin, since all stars emit visible light.

Chapter 2: Dyson Spheres Around Black Holes

Recent research by astronomer Tiger Hsiao from Tsing Hua University in Taiwan explores the feasibility of constructing Dyson spheres around black holes. His team examined three types of black holes: those with masses of 5 solar masses, 20 solar masses, and 4 million solar masses. The first two represent the lower and upper mass limits of objects formed through the gravitational collapse of single stars, while the latter is characteristic of supermassive black holes found at the centers of most galaxies.

Typically, black holes are viewed as cosmic vacuums, consuming everything, including radiation. However, they can also generate energy from the matter that falls into them. As this matter accelerates, it emits radiation, a process believed to occur around most supermassive black holes at galactic centers.

Calculations from Hsiao’s team suggest that the surrounding gas, matter disks, and radiation jets could serve as potential energy sources for advanced alien civilizations.

This video discusses a new study that uncovers the possibility of alien mega-structures, specifically Dyson spheres, around black holes.

If we consider a black hole with an accretion disk around it, such as one with a mass of 20 solar masses, constructing Dyson spheres around it could yield energy equivalent to the output of 100,000 suns. The energy difference is staggering, amounting to millions.

Black Hole Concept Art from NASA — [Photo: Public domain]

If such Dyson spheres exist around black holes, we could potentially detect them. Similar to the classic Dyson spheres around stars, those near black holes would also emit infrared radiation. Even if an alien civilization managed to create materials capable of reaching temperatures exceeding 3,000,000 degrees, they would radiate in the ultraviolet spectrum. These objects could be detectable today using current telescopes, even without visible light emissions.

What could such vast amounts of energy be utilized for? The answer remains elusive. Physicist Tomáš Opatrný from Palacký University in Olomouc humorously speculates on the possibilities:

"Cryptocurrency mines? Computer games? Or perhaps just fueling an ever-expanding bureaucracy?"

This video examines the exploration of Dyson spheres around supermassive black holes, shedding light on their potential applications.

Conclusion

The idea of harnessing energy from black holes through Dyson spheres opens up exciting possibilities for understanding advanced civilizations and their energy utilization methods.