How Humanity Might Shift an Entire Solar System
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Chapter 1: The Concept of Solar System Mobility
It may seem far-fetched, but some researchers are already considering methods to utilize solar energy for the mobility of our entire solar system.
An Artistic Representation of a Dyson Sphere
As vast as our solar system appears, if humanity aspires to become an interstellar civilization, it will need to extend its reach. This is where the idea of Stellar Engines comes into play. These theoretical megastructures are designed to capture a star’s radiation to create immense energy and potentially move the star—and thus the entire solar system. Such engines could significantly aid future colonization endeavors across the cosmos, eliminating the need for alternative energy sources. Stellar engines are typically classified into three categories: Class A (propulsive engines), Class B (generative engines), and Class C (which combines both functionalities).
But how exactly does one go about relocating a solar system? The answer lies in the fact that a solar system's mass is predominantly concentrated in its star—specifically, the sun accounts for 99.8% of our solar system's mass. Consequently, all celestial bodies orbiting the sun are gravitationally tethered to it; to shift the solar system, you essentially need to move the sun, which is no small task.
Section 1.1: Class A Engine - The Shkadov Thruster
One of the simplest designs for a stellar engine is the Shkadov Thruster. This mechanism consists of a large parabolic mirror (or countless smaller mirrors) positioned in a stationary orbit around the sun. The gravitational attraction between the mirror and the sun, coupled with the solar radiation that pushes the mirror outward, creates a pulling force on the sun, effectively shifting the entire solar system. However, this approach has significant drawbacks; it would take an estimated million years to accelerate to 20 m/s, and a staggering billion years to reach 20 km/s. Additionally, careful positioning is crucial to avoid obstructing our view of the sun as the Earth orbits.
Section 1.2: Class B Engine - The Dyson Sphere
In contrast, the Dyson Sphere is not designed to propel the solar system but instead to harness energy from the star. A notable variation is the Dyson Swarm, which consists of billions of mirrors or solar cells orbiting the sun to collect enough energy to sustain an interstellar civilization.
Subsection 1.2.1: Class C Engines
Class C stellar engines merge the features of both Class A and B systems, facilitating both propulsion and energy generation. Examples of these hybrid systems include the Dyson Bubble, Dyson Shell, and Dyson Swarm.
One intriguing adaptation is the Caplan Thruster, introduced by astronomer Matthew E. Caplan from Illinois State University in a German YouTube video by Kurzgesagt. This design employs mirrors to heat a specific area of the sun, prompting it to eject solar material that can be captured by spacecraft. The spacecraft would then fuse the material, generating a plasma jet directed toward the star to propel it, alongside another jet to maintain its orbit. Theoretically, this method would be faster and more precise than a Class A engine for moving the solar system.
Chapter 2: The Future of Stellar Engines
While the concept of stellar engines is fascinating, they currently remain within the realm of speculative fiction. The colossal scale of these systems, coupled with the astronomical time frames required—spanning millions to billions of years—suggests that we are unlikely to witness these technologies in our lifetime. Nonetheless, pondering these ideas offers a captivating glimpse into potential futures.
Sources:
- How to Move the Sun: Stellar Engines