Our Alien Megastructure in Space - KIC 8462852 - The most Mysterious Star in the Universe
Massive Alien Mega Structure or Natural Cosmic Activity?
The study of the cosmos has always been fascinating to me. I've recently been reading about KIC 8462852 and became captivated by the different theory's many are having on it's strange patterns and behaviors in our cosmos.
How it was first discovered
KIC 8462852 is located in the constellation of Cygnus and was first discovered from Planet Hunters utilizing data gathered from NASA's Kepler space observatory. Planet Hunters is a volunteer based online collective to help research science projects. I noticed their site has a fantastic interactive charting tool to help classify light measurements to help process light observations.
To help put things in perspective here is our solar system in the cosmos with the constellation of Cygnus's placement.
What's so unusual?
Light...
One of the most distant patterns is that KIC 8462852 seems to dim by more than 20% in a matter of days - This is typically not something stars do. After this behavior it seems to brighten, followed by another circle of darkening many weeks later. The dimming appears to be variable and there is no regular tempo signifying any presence of an orbiting planet.
Alien MegaStructure Theory
Concept art by @eburacum45 on DeviantArt
Because of the unusual activity on this mysterious star KIC 8462852 is believed to be a home, or potential tool, to a far sophisticated society. One idea is the star has such irregular light activity because of intelligent objects that might motion around the star. What exactly could these objects be? Perhaps they are structures of some sort that are capturing the energy of the star.
If we look at the Kardashev Scale we'll see a "Type II" Civilization can harness the energy of an entire star. The most popular hypothetical concept is that of a Dyson sphere.
Here's another concept art of what a Dyson sphere could be like as it encompasses a star and it's energy. Incredible!
Art work by Science & Vie Junior
Final Thoughts
As we are currently roughly estimated 0.7 on the Kardashev Scale harnessing the energy of a star is something that seems incredible - but why would any civilization need such energy? Will we one day harness the energy radiated from our own very Sun? I can see Mastering interstellar travel, Terra forming at large, and Vast Interstellar communication as most likely prime candidates.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on personal perspective.. what this mysterious star could be. What could be causing these bizarre light dips?
I often wonder what's going on out there in other planets we can't be the only one. Its a fascinating subject
Indeed it is! I've been fascinated since a child :) Thanks for reading.
good job @berasal
The idea of an alien mega structure is exciting. I wish we could travel there and see what is really going on. Yet, this star is so far away, I wonder if we will ever find out the truth.
Fascinating subject. Always an interesting topic.
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Space is incredible. Just the size alone baffles me. Great post though. I've never heard of KIC 8462852 before. Thanks for the interesting read!
I read about this two days ago. OMG I coulnt believe it. I still can not close my mouth
LOVE your post - you and I will get along quite nicely I bet. I too have been fascinated by Space since I was a young child, always wondering why, in fact, I was on this planet rather than the one I came from. In regards to KIC 8462852, hmmm, very interesting. Are there tools available that would allow us to get a "better look" at this structure or are we simply left to find resolution based on light-patterning conjecture? Cannot wait to see what else comes of this ...
I think this is fascinating... I think I first read about the Kardashev Scale in Michio Kaku's book Parallel Worlds.
If this particular star is being harnessed by an alien civilization, would it be slightly below level 2? If they were able to capture all of the energy from the star, we wouldn't be able to detect the star at all. :)