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  • A Dyson sphere is a hypothetical megastructure that would completely encompass a star to capture a large percentage of its energy output[3]. The concept was first proposed by physicist Freeman Dyson in 1960 as a thought experiment on how an advanced civilization might ultimately solve its energy needs[1][2].

The basic idea is that a growing alien civilization would eventually need to harness increasing amounts of energy to power its expanding population and industry. One solution would be to construct a vast system of solar collectors orbiting in tight formation around their star[1]. This swarm of structures could be positioned at roughly the Earth-sun distance, providing ample living space and capturing nearly all the solar radiation[1].

From a great distance, a star surrounded by a Dyson sphere may appear dimmed or darkened in visible light, as the megastructure would absorb and re-radiate the star's energy in the infrared wavelengths[1][3]. Some astronomers have searched for this kind of anomalous infrared signature as potential evidence of advanced civilizations in our galaxy, but so far none have been found[1][2].

While Dyson spheres are a staple of science fiction, the fundamental physics and engineering challenges involved make constructing a stable megastructure around a star far beyond our current capabilities[3][4]. A true Dyson sphere encircling the sun would require disassembling planets for raw materials and an enormous energy investment that could take millennia or longer to pay off, even assuming highly efficient future technology[4]. For now, Dyson spheres remain an interesting thought experiment about the limits of technology and the long-term trajectories of advanced civilizations.

Citations: [1] What is a Dyson sphere? | Space [2] EarthSky | A Dyson sphere harvests the energy of stars [3] Dyson sphere - Wikipedia [4] Would building a Dyson sphere be worth it? We ran the numbers. | Ars Technica [5] How to Build a Dyson Sphere - The Ultimate Megastructure - YouTube

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