'Secret highways in space': New study suggests stars could act as interstellar thrusters

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Stellar Migration

[{"selector":"#anim-2ac58e73-b415-4b99-bbc1-6156d8422faa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(18.687499809996964%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Advanced civilizations might move entire stars to escape dying solar systems, using binary pulsars as engines. Representative pic

Spider Propulsion

[{"selector":"#anim-94758b47-42ec-47f6-a673-a426c6f9e839 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.5605690068867162%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] New research suggests spider pulsars could be manipulated to create thrust, enabling interstellar travel.

Cosmic Thrusters

[{"selector":"#anim-2932f175-d9fe-4871-a49e-3cbcce17a8a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Binary pulsars could act as natural stellar engines, expelling mass to propel themselves through the galaxy. Representative pic

Galactic Nomads

[{"selector":"#anim-79150d32-67f9-4fe0-acd7-fad9d2e789df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.16539830320657%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] If alien civilizations survive long enough, they may use stars as spacecraft to find new homes. Representative pic

Extreme Engineering

[{"selector":"#anim-4a3abf02-729c-43be-8849-8db22cd884e8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-4.206160647113318%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A Type II civilization on the Kardashev Scale could harness star energy to achieve interstellar migration.

Technosignature Hunt

Scientists are looking for telltale signs that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations may already be moving stars. Representative pic

Space Highways

[{"selector":"#anim-2585797f-6484-4aa9-8517-33be50a7520d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(8.712575778449597%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Pulsars ejecting mass in a controlled way could suggest intelligent beings steering their stellar engines.

Powerful Beacons

[{"selector":"#anim-54244b09-2c6a-44b9-9553-f3fb475eace0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(4.1682027976928495%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Spider pulsars emit intense radiation—if manipulated, they could signal the presence of an advanced species.

Alien Roadmap

[{"selector":"#anim-41606b7d-cd2b-44bf-8ccc-95f380303814 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(18.558730682302905%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Could spider pulsars point toward destinations chosen by interstellar civilizations? Some scientists think so.

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