Nov 7, 2025 04:43 PM
Self-Replicating Probes Could be Operating Right now in the Solar System. Here's How We Could Look for Them
https://www.universetoday.com/articles/s...d-look-for
EXCERPTS: In 1949, famed mathematician and physicist John von Neumann delivered a series of addresses at the University of Illinois, where he introduced the concept of "universal constructor." [...] As many theoretical studies have shown, self-replicating probes (released from a single planet) could proliferate and explore the entire galaxy within a few eons.
[...] According to new research by Professor Alex Ellery of Carleton University (go Ravens!), these probes may have already visited the Solar System, and some could be operating here right now. As he recommends in a recent paper, future SETI surveys should be on the lookout for the telltale technosignatures these probes would produce.
[...] As he indicated in his paper, the most obvious reason for a species to engage in interstellar exploration is survival. This could be motivated by a desire to live beyond the main sequence phase of its star, the threat of destruction at the hands of a more advanced civilization, or fear that technology advancements will eventually threaten the existence of its creators. As told Universe Today via email, in all cases, self-replicating probes offer the most efficient and plausible means for ensuring the survival of an advanced civilization:
This would include extracting resources from star systems (such as asteroid belts and/or smaller rocky-metallic bodies) or from objects found in the interstellar medium, including asteroids, comets, and rogue planets. This desire for exploration and threat assessment, paired with the need for resources, would lead to predictable behaviors that could help guide the search for interstellar probes... (MORE - details)
https://youtu.be/SEziF9P8ZZc
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SEziF9P8ZZc
https://www.universetoday.com/articles/s...d-look-for
EXCERPTS: In 1949, famed mathematician and physicist John von Neumann delivered a series of addresses at the University of Illinois, where he introduced the concept of "universal constructor." [...] As many theoretical studies have shown, self-replicating probes (released from a single planet) could proliferate and explore the entire galaxy within a few eons.
[...] According to new research by Professor Alex Ellery of Carleton University (go Ravens!), these probes may have already visited the Solar System, and some could be operating here right now. As he recommends in a recent paper, future SETI surveys should be on the lookout for the telltale technosignatures these probes would produce.
[...] As he indicated in his paper, the most obvious reason for a species to engage in interstellar exploration is survival. This could be motivated by a desire to live beyond the main sequence phase of its star, the threat of destruction at the hands of a more advanced civilization, or fear that technology advancements will eventually threaten the existence of its creators. As told Universe Today via email, in all cases, self-replicating probes offer the most efficient and plausible means for ensuring the survival of an advanced civilization:
ET probes would be driven by survival of their local environment, be it main-sequence star lifetime, tectonic activity, etc., plus military reconnaissance to assess threats and alliances. Although many of us are motivated [by the desire] for knowledge (of which military reconnaissance is a type), science per se is not much of a driver. Nor is the exploration instinct - usually, greed or escape underlies exploration. Columbus wanted to find a route to the riches of Cathay, but America was in the way.
What's more, he goes on to demonstrate that such probes would not be hampered by the same restrictions as biological organisms. This is true of propulsion, since advanced probes would be able to withstand acceleration beyond 9.8 m2 (the force of Earth's gravity) and would not require exotic propulsion methods. In addition, interstellar probes would not require supplies, bioregenerative life support systems, or have to worry about waste disposal. All the materials they would need could be harvested along the way.This would include extracting resources from star systems (such as asteroid belts and/or smaller rocky-metallic bodies) or from objects found in the interstellar medium, including asteroids, comets, and rogue planets. This desire for exploration and threat assessment, paired with the need for resources, would lead to predictable behaviors that could help guide the search for interstellar probes... (MORE - details)
https://youtu.be/SEziF9P8ZZc