Orbital shutter as a beacon for interstellar communication

In summary: F-type main-sequence star in the constellation Cygnus. It has been the subject of a number of online reports of unusual light curves, some of which suggest that an extraterrestrial megastructure might be responsible.
  • #1
VACUUMIST
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Summary:: Hypotetical structure in the style of Dyson ring

In the style of Dyson's proposal of an orbital superstructure, I wonder if in the specialized literature wasn't suggested that an evolved civilization could make a kind of orbital shutter, in order to delivery optical signals, modulating the light emitted by their star.
A large area, low mass structure, as a beacon visible to other civilizations looking for planets around stars.
 
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  • #2
It seems a very large undertaking for a communications method that radio waves or lasers would probably do a better job of. But as an arts project - the "God winking at the Universe" installation - it has merit! Actually, Jack McDevitt has something along those lines in his Priscilla Hutchins novels.
 
  • #3
VACUUMIST said:
Summary:: Hypotetical structure in the style of Dyson ring

In the style of Dyson's proposal of an orbital superstructure, I wonder if in the specialized literature wasn't suggested that an evolved civilization could make a kind of orbital shutter, in order to delivery optical signals, modulating the light emitted by their star.
A large area, low mass structure, as a beacon visible to other civilizations looking for planets around stars.
Yes, interesting idea. I wonder what kind of modulation would be the most likely to get picked up by observatories on other worlds. You'd probably want to send a string of the first n prime numbers with simple on-off keying or something, perhaps followed by a more sophisticated short message. You'd want to calculate how long a single observatory at some distance away would be able to see the modulated brightness, in order to guide the length of the repeating message.

Since early astronomy used time-exposures, those would not be able to detect such modulation, though. What observatory/recording technologies do we have now that would be able to see such modulations?
 
  • #4
berkeman said:
What observatory/recording technologies do we have now that would be able to see such modulations?
Exoplanet searches. They are looking for large opaque objects orbiting the star. TESS takes images of selected stars every 2 minutes, most other observations are longer.

Tabby's star has light curve modulations so strong and irregular that some people have speculated if this could be from some artificial megastructures.
 
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Likes berkeman
  • #5
mfb said:
Tabby's star has light curve modulations so strong and irregular that some people have speculated if this could be from some artificial megastructures.
Gotta love the sense of humor...
Tabby's Star (also known as Boyajian's Star and WTF Star, and designated KIC 8462852 in the Kepler Input Catalog)
 

1. What is an orbital shutter?

An orbital shutter is a type of satellite or spacecraft that is designed to emit a bright, pulsating light that can be seen from great distances. It is used as a beacon for interstellar communication, as the light can be easily distinguished from natural sources in space.

2. How does an orbital shutter work?

An orbital shutter works by using a series of mirrors and lenses to focus and amplify light from a powerful source, such as a laser or a xenon flash lamp. The light is then directed outwards in a specific pattern or code, making it easily distinguishable from other light sources in space.

3. What is the purpose of using an orbital shutter for interstellar communication?

The purpose of using an orbital shutter for interstellar communication is to send a deliberate and easily identifiable signal to potential extraterrestrial civilizations. By using a pulsating light, the signal can be easily distinguished from natural sources in space and has a higher chance of being noticed by other intelligent beings.

4. How far can an orbital shutter's signal reach?

The distance that an orbital shutter's signal can reach depends on the power of the light source and the sensitivity of the receiver. In theory, the signal could reach any distance in space, but it would become increasingly faint and difficult to detect the further it travels.

5. Are there any potential drawbacks or risks to using an orbital shutter for interstellar communication?

One potential drawback of using an orbital shutter for interstellar communication is the possibility of attracting unwanted attention from hostile or technologically advanced civilizations. There is also the risk of the signal being misinterpreted or misunderstood by other beings, leading to unintended consequences.

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