Undergrad Is the existence of a Dyson Sphere impossible?

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A monolithic Dyson Sphere is deemed impossible with current materials due to structural limitations, but theoretical concepts like a Dyson Balloon could work by utilizing solar radiation pressure. This balloon would require active control to maintain its position around a star, effectively making it a leaky Dyson Sphere. A Dyson Swarm, composed of multiple smaller structures, may be a more feasible option for harnessing stellar energy. Such designs could potentially maximize energy capture while reducing detectability to other civilizations. Overall, while a monolithic Dyson Sphere is impractical, alternative concepts offer intriguing possibilities for energy collection.
HystereeSis
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Specifically a monolithic Dyson Sphere; also, how would a Dyson Swarm work / be a better option?
 
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HystereeSis said:
Is the existence of a Dyson Sphere impossible?
Not specifically, no.
HystereeSis said:
also, how would a Dyson Swarm work / be a better option?
Better option for what?

Is this a science fiction question?
 
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Likes Bystander and jim mcnamara
A monolithic Dyson sphere without moving parts wouldn't be possible with materials we know, but in principle you can stabilize it with fast-moving (faster than orbital velocity) components.
 
Perhaps one could make a Dyson Balloon inflated by solar radiation pressure around a star but there would have to be some sort of active control to keep the balloon centered around the star by manipulating the surface transmission/reflection coefficients to compensate for drift so it would amount to a leaky Dyson sphere. Of course one could not build structures on such a surface but it might go a long way towards Dyson's goal of using all (or most) of the star's energy and making the star less detectable to outside civilizations.
 
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