Entropy Rising

Star Lifting & Stellar Engines: The Engineering Power Behind Kardashev 2 Civilizations


Listen Later

Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/EntropyRising?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Follow us on treads: https://www.threads.net/@entropyrisingpodcast
Website: https://www.entropy-rising.com/


What if we could mine the Sun? What if we didn’t just build around stars, but engineered them? In this episode of Entropy Rising, we explore two of the most mind-bending concepts in astrophysics: star lifting and stellar engines, technologies a Kardashev Type II civilization might use to reshape entire solar systems.

We break down how star lifting works, from using magnetic fields to extract solar plasma, to sorting elements like iron and carbon for megastructure construction. You’ll learn why advanced civilizations might want to do this. not just to build Dyson swarms or fusion reactors, but to extend a star’s life or reclassify it altogether. We also explore how this process might be used to terraform planets,or even refuel stars.

Then, we take it one step further. What if you could move a star? We discuss the science behind stellar engines, including the Shkadov thruster, the Caplan engine, and the far more efficient Star Tug. These are not sci-fi magic—they’re grounded in real physics. By redirecting radiation or harvesting and ejecting stellar mass, these hypothetical devices could shift entire stars across the galaxy… slowly, but surely.

And yes, we talk about the crazy implications. Turning the entire solar system into a generation ship. Moving stars to avoid supernovae. Using lasers and plasma jets to reshape the cosmos.

Whether you're here for the theoretical physics, the sci-fi applications, or just to melt your brain a little, this episode delivers. It’s the kind of future tech that’s so extreme, it sounds like fantasy... but might actually be inevitable.

If you’ve ever wondered what a truly advanced civilization does with its power, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

Support the show

Website: https://www.entropy-rising.com/

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Entropy RisingBy Jacob and Lucas

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

10 ratings


More shows like Entropy Rising

View all
StarTalk Radio by Neil deGrasse Tyson

StarTalk Radio

14,327 Listeners

Ask a Spaceman! by Paul M. Sutter

Ask a Spaceman!

831 Listeners

Universe Today Podcast by Fraser Cain

Universe Today Podcast

559 Listeners

The Quanta Podcast by Quanta Magazine

The Quanta Podcast

530 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,789 Listeners

Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries by Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley

Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

231 Listeners

Stuff They Don't Want You To Know by iHeartPodcasts

Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

10,328 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,183 Listeners

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

2,344 Listeners

The End Of The World with Josh Clark by iHeartPodcasts

The End Of The World with Josh Clark

6,457 Listeners

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend by Team Coco & Earwolf

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

59,393 Listeners

Unexplainable by Vox

Unexplainable

2,305 Listeners

Short History Of... by NOISER

Short History Of...

2,824 Listeners

Astrum Space by Astrum

Astrum Space

136 Listeners

The Multiverse Employee Handbook by Robb Corrigan

The Multiverse Employee Handbook

7 Listeners