Poster Presentation
From Supernovae to Fast Radio Bursts: Can Stellar Explosions Threaten Alien Civilizations?
Presenter: Deriyan Senjaya (Department of Physics NTHU)
Why can't we see alien civilizations in this vast universe? This long-standing question, known as the Fermi paradox, remains unresolved. Simulation-based studies by Zackrisson et al. (2015) suggest that a Kardashev type-III civilization could colonize 50% of the Milky Way (MW) within 25 Myr. Similarly, Wright et al. (2021) show that stellar rotation can accelerate the transition from type-II to type-III civilizations. Yet, despite such rapid colonization scenarios, no evidence of extraterrestrial life is observed. To address this paradox, we examine the role of disruptive astrophysical events, particularly supernovae (SN). SN explosions emit high-energy radiation that could destroy biospheres or advanced technologies. We simulate the impact of SN on the colonization timeline of type-II civilizations evolving into type-III. Our results show that even with SN disruptions, 50% of the MW can be colonized in ~53 Myr, consistent with Sagan & Newman (1980). The low star formation rate in the MW supports this resilience, as noted by Burns & Parsons (2022). Additionally, we consider Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), often linked to magnetars formed in SN remnants. If FRBs are natural, their intense radio emissions may locally disrupt alien communication systems. If artificial, they could represent fleeting signatures of advanced civilizations. However, their sporadic nature and insufficient energy density make them unlikely to prevent large-scale colonization. In conclusion, while SN and FRBs may pose localized risks, they are not significant enough to explain the absence of observable Kardashev type-III civilizations in the MW.
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