In Relics (an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation) they encounter a Dyson sphere. It raised a few questions...
Question: What would illuminate a dyson sphere at high noon on all surface area?
Answer: The central star. This would involve something like thermal energy transfering to the outer surface by metals or alloys or ceramics that alter the frequency of the light. Platinum absorbs UV and gives off visible light. This process might be usable through similar process to convert infrared energy into visible light emission.
Question: Where to get its construction material?
Answer: The Star. It gives off protons. A machine swarm capable of weaving a lattice from threads of Protons would over time build up a structure that has an earth gravity, and is a few metres thick, because its a woven proton cloth, light can pass through it (introducing another answer to how is it illuminated). Eventually the builders might show up to take up residence when the star is sufficiently depleted of mass and brightness.
Question: How does it survive solar radiation inequality?
Answer: The swarm actively targets solar flare material ejected from the sun as an opportunity to collect building material. The nanomachine swarm likely functions in close proximity to the star until its proton fiber is fully spooled, and weaves a web section of cloth to sail back to the shell to connect its patch to the patchwork quilt. This offers a different alternative to building material efficiency and use. The swarm itself was built using the planetary material of the solar system, but the swarm uses the protons of the star to weave the dyson sphere material.
Is that sufficient?
No comments:
Post a Comment