Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by ctchocula on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @03:00AM
(#23698573)
IANAP and this could be a bit of a stretch, but could the disappearance of the star been caused by the completion of a Dyson sphere around it?
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Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by Cthulhu_ on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @04:14AM
(#23699122)
It would be; first, spheres are unrealistic because of the stresses involved, so you'd be looking at a dyson swarm instead, and second, (and this is with sci-fi glasses on), even advanced civilizations would need many years to build one, so there would be a gradual fading instead.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by blendergeek on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @08:47AM
(#23700740)
It could be the result of the closing of the dyson sphere/swarm. If the dyson sphere/swarm is built like giant Venetian blinds, it could work.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by Someone on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @09:39AM
(#23701164)
Easier: if they build the frame for the sphere first, then added (gigantic) panels one at a time, a part filled with panels might have moved into our line of sight.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by JoeAltmaier on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @10:42AM
(#23701870)
Or maybe they built them all in a higher orbit spaced apart, then simultaneously decelerated them all so they fell as one into a Dyson sphere! Have to have some kind of process, why not that one?
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by menybuvico on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @11:39AM
(#23702661)
Self-propelled modular elements that are built separately, and then placed and connected to others.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by marcosdumay on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @09:20AM
(#23700990)
A Dyson sphere/swarm has huge emissions on the infrared band that would be easy to detect on the tens of millions of light years distance.
Edit: AFAIK, this group didn't look for that. But the fact that nobody ever found one is telling.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by gnur on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @04:18AM
(#23699154)
If you are into these kinds of mysteries, I highly recommend reading Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton. (even more so if you want to spend a few days reading this epic space opera)
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by throwaway_pdp09 on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @04:47AM
(#23699319)
Warning: he writes huge tomes. They're far too long. The first I read was fun, the second a slog. There won't be a third.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by ImaCake on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @07:59AM
(#23700450)
He has a whole follow-up trilogy from Pandora's Star. They are every bit as massive and pondorous. I personally liked them just enough to finish them, but I won't re-read them.
However, I absolutely love the Night's Dawn Trilogy and re-read it once every few years. I think I read it at an impressionable age and it really stuck.
One could also consider reading Charles Stross' "Accelerando" which has plenty of stuff about dyson swarms.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by luspr on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @08:18AM
(#23700556)
I only read Pandora's Star so far, but I really liked the fact that it was a rather optimistic vision of the future. Humanity had colonies on dozens or hundreds of planets, and due to life extension people were basically immortal and could even choose the shape of their body.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by mkl on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @10:11AM
(#23701492)
Definitely read the sequel Judas Unchained. Those books are probably my favourite novels.
For more Peter F Hamilton optimistic future of humanity, see the Night's Dawn trilogy.
Re:The possible disappearance of a massive star in the galax...
by luspr on Wednesday July 01, 2020 @05:42PM
(#23707085)
Thank you! Any other optimistic and believable sci-fi you would recommend?