Difference between revisions of "Research on SETI, black holes, XRB and star lifting"
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The Search for Extra-Terrestrials (SETI) has been unsuccessful so far. Additional new methods needs to be taken into account, and, since we don't know anything about ETIs, it is wise to promote a variety of hypotheses and approaches. | The Search for Extra-Terrestrials (SETI) has been unsuccessful so far. Additional new methods needs to be taken into account, and, since we don't know anything about ETIs, it is wise to promote a variety of hypotheses and approaches. | ||
| + | === General SETI strategies === | ||
| − | == | + | The search for extraterrestrials can take three forms, searching for: |
| + | * (1) ETs less advanced than us (e.g. finding bacteria on meteorites, simple living microorganisms, etc.) | ||
| + | * (2) ETs at our level (e.g. the orthodox SETI of looking for intentional signals, Earth-like planets, etc.) | ||
| + | * (3) ETs more advanced than us (e.g. star lifting operation, high energy use, high computational use, small scale technologies (up to black hole technology), XRB) | ||
| + | |||
| + | On this page, we focus on search strategies (3). | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Abbreviations used: === | ||
| − | |||
* ET: Extraterrestrial | * ET: Extraterrestrial | ||
* ETI: Extra Terrestrial Intelligence | * ETI: Extra Terrestrial Intelligence | ||
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If references do not appear at the end of this page, they can be found in Vidal (2011). | If references do not appear at the end of this page, they can be found in Vidal (2011). | ||
| − | === | + | == Problems == |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
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=== Energy Rate Density === | === Energy Rate Density === | ||
Revision as of 09:52, 11 May 2011
This page is meant to stimulate SETI research on black holes, X-Ray binaries (XRB) and star lifting. It was initiated by Clément Vidal (2011). If you want to collaboratively edit it, you are welcome to Join EDU. You can also email Clément Vidal.
Contents
Situation
The Search for Extra-Terrestrials (SETI) has been unsuccessful so far. Additional new methods needs to be taken into account, and, since we don't know anything about ETIs, it is wise to promote a variety of hypotheses and approaches.
General SETI strategies
The search for extraterrestrials can take three forms, searching for:
- (1) ETs less advanced than us (e.g. finding bacteria on meteorites, simple living microorganisms, etc.)
- (2) ETs at our level (e.g. the orthodox SETI of looking for intentional signals, Earth-like planets, etc.)
- (3) ETs more advanced than us (e.g. star lifting operation, high energy use, high computational use, small scale technologies (up to black hole technology), XRB)
On this page, we focus on search strategies (3).
Abbreviations used:
- ET: Extraterrestrial
- ETI: Extra Terrestrial Intelligence
- ERD: Energy Rate Density (Chaisson 2001, 2003)
- BH: black hole
- NS: neutron star
- XRB: X-ray binary
- LMXRB: Low mass X-ray binary
- HMXRB: High mass X-ray binary
- (WD/NS/BH)-(L/H)MXRB: (White Dwarf/Neutron Star/Black Hole) in a (Low/High)Mass XRB
- (!): Speculative
- (!!): Science-fiction like speculation
If references do not appear at the end of this page, they can be found in Vidal (2011).
Problems
Energy Rate Density
- What is the highest Energy Rate Density (ERD) we can imagine in the universe?
- What kind of system could achieve it?
- Could we use this as an heuristic to search ETIs?
- What are the highest ERD we can observe in the universe (outside Earth)?
- Could we use this as an heuristic to search ETIs?
Star Lifting
Here, we especially look at the possibility that ETIs have, are or will be engaging in star lifting. Consequences of such operations are likely to be observable.
- Can we find evidence of star lifting?
- See Martin Beech's (2008, 190-191) 12 possible signs of star lifting in operation.
- (!) Exoplanets: Could some of them be in the process of being black-hole-formed?
- Maybe the giant planets found near stars are put there artificially, to be NS- or BH-formed?
- Observe their evolution!
- (!!) Look for planets being torn apart
- with a black hole
- with a technology like the one described in Dyson's (1966) paper
- Is it possible that a LMXB be created from a Sun-like star? Suggested by Beech (2008, 157)
- What is the proportion of natural vs putative artificial binaries?
Are there theoretical models or simulation of stellar evolution? can we actually have simulations showing where most stars falls, assuming their physical properties and evolution? Does this fit with the real data? If not, could there be some star-lifting at play?
- (!) Could most of observed binaries already display effects of star lifting?
- Can we estimate the number of binary systems which form (1) with known mechanisms, versus (2) the number of binaries actually observed?
- If there is a discrepancy between (1) and (2), could it be that some binary systems are artificial?
- Can we estimate the number of binary systems which form (1) with known mechanisms, versus (2) the number of binaries actually observed?
- Search for civilizations failing star lifting
- See Beech (2008, 154)
- What catastrophes can we imagine?
- Would a civilization wants to lengthen or shorten the lifetime of stars?
It depends on what is the goal
- to survive for a long time, with low energy (e.g. with a white dwarf) then it is advantageous to lengthen the star's lifetime.
- for the purpose of using more rapidly the star's energy, then the star's lifetime is shortened. (!!) In that case, it should be sure to find another star afterwards! (see Migration)
Assessing XRB as ETIs
According to Vidal's (2011) reasoning, XRB are good ETI candidate. How can we assess this hypothesis?
- Focusing on LMXRB
Mirabel et al. (2011) have suggested that BH-HMXRB play an important role in the early universe. It thus seems very unlikely that such BH-HMXRB are artificial, because life-as-we-know it wouldn't have had time to develop. It seems thus natural to focus SETI on LMXRB, which are also more consistent with research on star lifting.
- Can we find evidence of control in the XRB's energy flow?
Energy flow regulation or control is a necessary condition for the growth, maintenance, evolution and reproduction of complex systems (see e.g. Aunger 2007; Chaisson 2011). Are some XRBs displaying such a feature?
- What are the energy rate densities of accreting binary star systems?
How can we calculate it more precisely, using Eric Chaisson's (2001;2003) "energy rate density" metric?
- How can we distinguish a natural process from an artificial and unknown one?
Accretion is an ubiquitous astrophysical process in galaxy and planetary formation, so XRBs may simply always be natural. Let me however introduce an analogy. Fission can be found in natural forms, as well as fusion, which is one of the core energetic processes in stellar evolution. Yet, humans try to copy them, and would greatly benefit to -always- control them. So it is not because a process is known to be natural that its actual use is not driven by an intelligence.In fact, the situation may be even more subtle. The formation of XRBs might be natural, but controlled or taken over by ETIs, like a waterfall is a natural energy source humans can harness with dams. So, how can we develop criteria for natural versus artificial? Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, systems theory, artificial life, etc. because of their general concepts and applicability, will certainly provide key conceptual frameworks. Metrics like Freitas' (1984) sentience quotient or Chaisson's (2001, 2003) energy rate density are certainly very promising, and a KII-BΩ civilization should score high on them. Those metrics also indicate that the distinction natural versus artificial may be of a continuous nature.
- What is the origin, evolution, fate and possible migration of XRB?
With this question I mean that a compelling argument for the existence of advanced ETIs will most likely come from an evolutionary and global cosmic understanding of natural and possibly artificial stellar evolution in our and other galaxies.
Migration of XRBs?
Benefits
Finding ETIs would be a revolution marking an end to "biocentrism" the idea that biology on Earth is unique in the universe. If postbiological ETIs are found, this would be an end to "intellicentrism", the idea that intelligence on Earth is unique in the universe.
Bibliography
Aunger, Robert. 2007. “A rigorous periodization of ‘big’ history.” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 74 (8) (October): 1164-1178. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2007.01.007.
Beech, Martin. 2008. Rejuvenating the sun and avoiding other global catastrophes. Springer.
Chaisson, E. J. 2001. Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature. Harvard University Press.
———. 2003. “A Unifying Concept for Astrobiology.” International Journal of Astrobiology 2 (02): 91-101. http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/eric/reprints/unifying_concept_astrobio.pdf .
———. 2011. “Energy rate density as a complexity metric and evolutionary driver.” Complexity 16 (3): 27-40. doi:10.1002/cplx.20323. http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/eric/reprints/EnergyRateDensity_I_FINAL_2011.pdf.
Dyson, F. J. 1966. The Search for Extraterrestrial Technology. In Perspectives in Modern Physics, ed. R.E. Marshak, 641–655. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Freitas, R. A. 1984. “Xenopsychology.” Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact 104: 41-53. http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/Xenopsychology.htm.
Mirabel, I. F., M. Dijkstra, P. Laurent, A. Loeb, and J. R. Pritchard. 2011. “Stellar black holes at the dawn of the universe.” Astronomy & Astrophysics 528: 6. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201016357.
Vidal, C. 2011 Black Holes: Attractors for Intelligence? Presented at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre, "Towards a scientific and societal agenda on extra-terrestrial life", 4-5 Oct 2010. http://arxiv.org/abs/1104.4362
