A new paper proposes a radical theory: some of the galaxy's fastest-moving stars might be propelled by advanced alien civilisations. This isn't science fiction; the hypothesis, put forward by Clement Vidal, a philosopher at the Vrije University Brussels, suggests a novel method of interstellar travel for long-lived extraterrestrial species.
The immense distances between stars present a significant hurdle to interstellar travel. Even at speeds approaching the speed of light, journeys across the galaxy would take millennia. Instead of migrating their populations to new star systems, Vidal suggests, a sufficiently advanced civilisation might choose to move their entire star system. This, he argues, offers a compelling alternative, allowing a species to maintain their established environment throughout their interstellar voyage.
Vidal's paper, currently available on arXiv and awaiting peer review, focuses on binary star systems â systems with two stars orbiting each other. He argues that previous research, focusing primarily on solitary hypervelocity stars, may have overlooked a significant portion of potentially artificially accelerated systems. Binary systems, he contends, offer advantages in terms of control and propulsion.
The proposed mechanism hinges on manipulating the ejection of stellar material. By creating an asymmetrical ejection of matter from one of the stars, perhaps through sophisticated magnetic field manipulation or a large-scale energy-based device, a civilisation could generate thrust, propelling the binary system in the opposite direction. Vidal suggests a neutron star paired with a low-mass star as an ideal candidate for such a system, due to the neutron star's intense gravitational field which could provide a ready source of energy for the propulsion mechanism.
Vidal's model proposes that the placement of this propulsion technology near the neutron star would allow for precise control. By carefully timing the activation and deactivation of the device, a civilisation could steer the binary system with remarkable accuracy, even adjusting its course within the orbital plane or shifting the orbit itself. This controlled propulsion could allow for interstellar travel, with the civilisation remaining within their established star system throughout the journey.
While no conclusive evidence of artificial manipulation has been found in currently known hypervelocity stars, Vidal highlights systems such as the "black widow" pulsar PSR J0610-2100 and the "redback" pulsar PSR J2043+1711 as potentially interesting candidates for further investigation. These systems exhibit significant accelerations, although natural explanations are currently considered more likely.
Vidal's work, while speculative, opens up new avenues of research into the potential existence and methods of interstellar travel for extraterrestrial civilisations. His focus on binary systems highlights the potential for overlooked evidence, stimulating further investigation into the dynamics of hypervelocity stars and the possibilities of advanced extraterrestrial technologies. The lack of peer review underlines the need for further scientific scrutiny, however the hypothesis provides a fascinating and thought-provoking perspective on the possibilities of interstellar travel beyond our current technological understanding. The search for evidence, or the refutation, will continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.
