Alien Megastructures and the Mysterious Star

Alien Megastructures and the Mysterious Star

Assessment

Interactive Video

Science, Physics

9th - 12th Grade

Hard

Created by

Lucas Foster

FREE Resource

The video discusses a mysterious star observed by the Kepler space telescope, which shows unusual dips in light. This has led to speculation about an alien megastructure being built around the star. The concept of civilizations capturing energy from their parent stars is explored, with some suggesting this could be evidence of an advanced civilization. The SETI Institute plans to use radio telescopes to search for signals from this star, though skepticism remains.

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8 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What unusual observation was made about the mysterious star?

It changed color dramatically.

It had a bizarre dip in the amount of light reaching Earth.

It disappeared from view.

It moved closer to Earth.

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is one hypothesis for the dip in light from the star?

A black hole is nearby.

An alien megastructure is being constructed around the star.

The star is going supernova.

A large asteroid passed in front of it.

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the purpose of building a megastructure around a star according to the hypothesis?

To cool down the star's surface temperature.

To make the star invisible to other civilizations.

To capture all the energy from the star for a growing civilization.

To protect the star from asteroids.

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why is the hypothesis of an alien megastructure considered extraordinary?

It suggests the presence of advanced alien civilizations.

It is a common occurrence in the universe.

It has been proven by scientists.

It contradicts known laws of physics.

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the potential benefit of a civilization building a shell around its star?

To create a new planet.

To harness unlimited energy for growth.

To increase the star's brightness.

To hide from other civilizations.

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the next step proposed to investigate the mysterious star?

Observe the star with ground-based telescopes.

Send a spacecraft to the star.

Use radio telescopes to search for signals.

Launch a new space telescope.

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the role of the SETI Institute in this investigation?

To search for radio signals from the star.

To measure the star's gravitational pull.

To analyze the star's chemical composition.

To build a megastructure around the star.

8.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the general sentiment of the speaker towards the alien megastructure hypothesis?

Strong opposition to the idea.

Indifference to the hypothesis.

Skepticism but with a hope it might be true.

Complete belief in its validity.