Converting Gaseous Planets Into Matter

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This discussion explores the hypothetical capabilities of a Type 3 Civilization in converting gaseous planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter. Participants suggest that such civilizations would likely utilize the abundant hydrogen for advanced energy production, potentially through nuclear fusion. The conversation also touches on the distinctions between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 civilizations, emphasizing that a Type 3 would have the capacity to manipulate energy on a galactic scale, far exceeding the capabilities of lower-tier civilizations.

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  • Understanding of Kardashev Scale civilizations
  • Basic knowledge of nuclear fusion processes
  • Familiarity with the composition of gas giants
  • Concepts of energy harnessing from celestial bodies
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I've often wondered what a Type 3 Civilization could do if they had the technology to convert gaseous planets such as: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter. If they harness such energy, what would they use it for? To power up their starships, or perhaps create a solid rock planet for colonization instead? Thoughts anyone?


Whitestar
 
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Whitestar said:
I've often wondered what a Type 3 Civilization could do if they had the technology to convert gaseous planets such as: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter.
If not matter, what is it exactly that you think these planets are made of?


Whitestar said:
If they harness such energy, what would they use it for? To power up their starships, or perhaps create a solid rock planet for colonization instead? Thoughts anyone?Whitestar
Wouldn't it make more sense to start with 'what they're trying to do' and then ask 'how might they accomplish it'?
 
Seeing that they're mostly hydrogen, fuel sounds very likely.
 
εllipse said:
Seeing that they're mostly hydrogen, fuel sounds very likely.
Why? It's only hydrogen, the most common substance in the universe. I imagine you're thinking of burning it, which is easy, here on oxygen-covered Earth, but there's no oxygen on Jupiter.
 
I was thinking of nuclear fusion, something a type 3 civilization won't have any problems with.

In fact, a type 3 civilization would be way past the point of using gas giants for fusion.. that'd be more like type 1.
 
εllipse said:
I was thinking of nuclear fusion, something a type 3 civilization won't have any problems with.

In fact, a type 3 civilization would be way past the point of using gas giants for fusion.. that'd be more like type 1.

a type 2 would turn a gas giant into a new star if they had already exausted one sun. or I could be completely wrong, who knows :P.
 
Yes, a type II civilization is one that can harness energy from its solar system. This would include using gas planets in conversion processes.
 
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?
 
Cladson said:
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?
It doesn't matter. The definition is merely meant to cover *how much* energy they can (hypothetically) bring to bear.

As a type I civilization, we are (at least theoretically) capable of bringing the resources of an entire planet to bear. It matters not whether that be rock by rock.
 
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Cladson said:
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?

funny as it may sound, I think the movie men in black had a simple representation of what a type 3 would use. a galaxy in a jar more or less.
 

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