"Exploring E.T.'s Potential: Dyson Spheres and Red Dwarfs"
Astronomer Erik Zackrisson and his team at Uppsala University in Sweden are studying the possibility of detecting Dyson spheres, hypothetical megastructures that harness the energy of stars, around red dwarf stars. Red dwarfs make up 75% of the stars in the Milky Way and have estimated lifetimes that can span the age of the universe. By analyzing stellar catalogs, Zackrisson and his team have identified 10 faint red dwarf stars as potential candidates for harboring Dyson spheres. Detecting these structures is challenging, as they would appear dim in the optical and bright in the infrared. However, the research has the potential to advance our understanding of astrophysics and could provide insights into the existence of advanced alien civilizations.