Some of the most promising locations to search for possible alien megastructures, known as Dyson spheres, may not be stars like the Sun, but rather the galaxy’s smallest and dimmest stars.

Physicist Freeman Dyson introduced the idea of a Dyson sphere in 1960, describing it as a shell or, more realistically, a swarm of orbiting collectors that could capture most of a star’s energy. This concept has interested scientists searching for signs of advanced technology, but the question of how such a structure would appear in astronomical observations remained unknown.

Now, a new study, available on the arXiv preprint server, suggests that one of the coldest objects in a stellar system could, in principle, be an artificial megastructure rather than a natural astronomical object.

Amirnezam Amiri, a physicist at the University of Arkansas, explored the question of Dyson spheres by modeling these hypothetical megastructures around two often-overlooked types of stars: red M-dwarfs and white dwarfs. Amiri credits discussions with Harvard astronomer and founder of the Galileo Project, Avi Loeb, with helping shape the study.

Small, Dim, and Built to Last

Red dwarfs make up about 70% of the stars in the Milky Way. These stars burn slowly and can remain stable for trillions of years, much longer than the universe has even existed so far. White dwarfs offer a different benefit. As the dense remnants of stars like the Sun, they shrink to about 1% of their original size. This means a Dyson swarm could orbit much closer, requiring less material and a smaller structure than one built around a star like the Sun.

Amiri’s study explores how astronomers could detect such structures. Both red dwarfs and white dwarfs are dim enough that the infrared heat emitted by a Dyson swarm would stand out more clearly against the star’s own light.

Reading the Wreckage on a Star Chart

Astronomers use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to classify stars by temperature and brightness, and this tool is central to Amiri’s analysis. A Dyson swarm would not destroy a star’s energy, but would capture its light and re-emit it as heat at much longer wavelengths. 

In the new model, a star with a Dyson swarm would appear on the H-R diagram at the same luminosity but shifted dramatically toward the cool end. For instance, a red dwarf at about 3,000 K could appear surrounded by a shell as cold as 50 K, a difference of about two orders of magnitude. No known stars naturally occupy this region of the H-R diagram.

Identifying Factors

Dust and distant galaxies can also produce strong infrared emissions, so astronomers cannot identify a Dyson swarm using temperature alone. Amiri’s model points to a more complex set of clues. A true Dyson swarm would not show the silicate dust features seen in normal dusty disks, so its spectrum would be unusually smooth for an object with strong infrared emission.

Additionally, if the swarm consists of many separate collectors rather than a solid shell, there would be gaps that cause irregular, non-stellar flickering as the pieces move. Each of these signs can have natural causes, but finding them together is rare and hard to explain without considering artificial structures.

Future Observations

Astronomers can carry out this search using existing telescopes. The James Webb Space Telescope’s infrared instruments are already designed to detect faint, cold signals like these. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s new sky survey and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is expected to launch later this year, will add to these efforts. Together, they will generate the kinds of observations needed to search for the signatures described in the study.

Possible candidates for these future observations have already been identified. In 2024, Project Hephaistos identified seven potential Dyson sphere candidates among about 5 million cataloged stars, all linked to red dwarfs. One was ruled out after it was shown that a background black hole caused the observed signal. Several candidate Dyson sphere systems still remain under investigation. Amiri does not claim that any of these are actual Dyson spheres, and the paper makes this clear. Instead, the study offers a better way to tell true anomalies apart from dusty disks before using valuable telescope time. If a Dyson swarm surrounds a star and reradiates its energy at temperatures unlike those of natural stars, upcoming infrared surveys may finally be able to detect one.

Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a data analytics certification. His work focuses on breaking scientific developments, with an emphasis on emerging biology, cognitive neuroscience, and archaeological discoveries.

For decades, the possibility of discovering extraterrestrial intelligence has captured the imagination of scientists, sci-fi enthusiasts, filmmakers, and the public alike.

In line with such efforts, the IAA SETI Committee and the uNHIdden Foundation, two separate not-for-profit organizations, have recently released updated rules for evaluating and disclosing detections, and preparing for public preparedness in the event of potential disclosure of extraterrestrial intelligence.

With the release of director Steven Spielberg’s new alien film Disclosure Day, nearly coinciding with the recent release of the government records from the Department of War related to UAP, it seems a growing number of individuals, from the film industry to the science community, have extraterrestrials and “disclosure” on their minds. 

The IAA SETI Committee Rules 

In June 2026, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) approved a major update to the protocols governing the evaluation, verification, and communication of evidence related to extraterrestrial intelligence. The revised guidelines were designed to address a modern information environment shaped by social media, artificial intelligence, and the rapid pace of the 24-hour news cycle.

Professor Michael Garrett, Sir Bernard Lovell Chair of Astrophysics, led the international effort to revise the long-standing post-detection protocols used by researchers engaged in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The updated guidelines have since been formally ratified by the IAA.

“The information environment we operate in today is vastly more complex than it was in 2010,” said Garrett, Chair of the IAA SETI Committee, in a statement. “In an era of deepfakes, automated misinformation, and instant global connectivity, a single unverified claim could trigger confusion or panic. These new protocols ensure that scientists maintain the highest standards of evidence before making announcements to the world.”

The revised declaration reflects the broader scope of modern SETI and technosignature research. Since the previous guidelines were adopted in 2010, advances in technology have enabled scientists to investigate the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including excess infrared heat signatures that could indicate megastructures, optical laser emissions, and even multi-messenger signals.

The updated framework also addresses modern challenges, including protections for researchers who may face harassment, doxxing, or intense media scrutiny. It further emphasizes the importance of distinguishing verified scientific data from viral rumors, hoaxes, or terrestrial interference.

New Contact Rules at SETI

At the heart of the new guidelines is a familiar scientific principle: extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Under the revised protocols, no public announcement should be made until a signal or artifact has been rigorously verified by independent organizations using different instruments and methodologies.

“We do not shout ‘alien’ the moment we see a strange blip,” said Garret in a statement. “The scientific method demands we check, check again, and then ask others to check. Only when we have reached a consensus that a signal is credible do we bring it to the world.”

While the protocols explain how to share discovery news, they make one rule clear: no reply should be sent.

“The threshold for ‘extraordinary evidence’ is subjective,” Siemion says. “Because of the vast diversity of modalities in which a technosignature might manifest, it is impossible to state explicitly the criteria that would meet this threshold under all circumstances.”

“In the case of a coherent electromagnetic signal, like a narrowband carrier or a series of laser pulses, an example of ‘extraordinary’ would be if we repeatedly detected the signal at the same location with multiple independent observatories,” Siemion adds.

He also noted that, for a transient signal, compelling evidence might include multiple lines of data indicating that it traveled through interstellar space. Determining whether a phenomenon truly originated from extraterrestrial technology would likely be a lengthy process, with evidence presented, challenged, and reassessed over time.

The declaration reinforces that any response to extraterrestrial intelligence would be a decision for all humanity and should only occur following international consultation, particularly through the United Nations.

With the updated declaration now ratified by the IAA Board, it will be shared with stakeholders, including the United Nations. A formal presentation of the protocols is scheduled for the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Türkiye later this year.

“The release of these updated rules and protocols marks an important step in acknowledging both the radically different media landscape that science functions within today, and the vastly expanded efforts in terms of technology and resources being deployed in the search for intelligent life beyond Earth,” said Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute and IAA SETI Committee member. “We applaud Prof Garrett’s leadership in developing these new protocols and the IAA for their ratification.” 

First Contact and Humanity’s Mental Health

Another nonprofit organization has taken a different approach, focusing on the potential psychological and public-health implications of disclosure. The uNHIdden Foundation, whose mission is to support mental health related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), recently released a preparedness framework addressing the societal impact of a paradigm-shifting discovery.

If governments prepare for natural disasters, pandemics, and other low-probability, high-impact events, should humanity also consider preparing for the possibility of contact with another intelligent civilization?

On June 8, uNHIdden Foundation Founder and Chairman John Priestland, alongside clinical spokesperson Dr. Martin Abbas, launched what they describe as the first public-health preparedness framework focused on disclosure-related scenarios.

Developed by healthcare practitioners, physicians, clinical psychologists, and public-health specialists, “Preparing for Disclosure: A Public Health Framework for Paradigm-Shifting Revelations” examines how society might reduce harm, build resilience, and support individuals processing a profound shift in humanity’s understanding of its place in the universe.

“This report is not a prediction. It is a preparedness exercise,” Priestland says. “Governments prepare for all kinds of low-probability, high-impact events.”

“Our view is that if a paradigm-shifting disclosure were ever to occur, we should at least have thought about the human consequences in advance,” Priestland added. 

The report suggests that certain groups could be more vulnerable to disclosure-related distress, including individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, those facing socioeconomic hardship, UAP experiencers, highly religious individuals, and some STEM professionals. The authors emphasize that the report neither predicts disclosure nor attempts to judge future discoveries; rather, it argues that preparedness is a prudent response to the possibility of transformative new information.

David Whitehouse, former BBC Science Correspondent, wrote the report’s foreword, arguing that planning is essential should such a discovery ever occur.

The new framework proposes several practical actions to be taken, which include:

• Reducing stigma surrounding anomalous experiences and disclosure-related concerns
• Building public resilience and psychological flexibility
• Developing trusted sources of information and support
• Creating community conversation groups and peer-support networks
• Strengthening mental health preparedness and triage capability
• Encouraging collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, government, and civil society

The report argues that stronger community resilience, clearer communication during periods of uncertainty, and improved mental-health support would be critical not only during a disclosure event but during any large-scale societal disruption.

Ultimately, the question remains whether humanity is truly prepared—or whether a globally coordinated framework is still lacking. Voices ranging from the UAP community to figures within the U.S. government have argued that the public is ready. However, only time will tell what the result may be if confirmation of extraterrestrial intelligence were to arrive—and how humanity will collectively respond to the discovery.

Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and the founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram: @BeingChrissyNewton, and chrissynewton.com. To contact Chrissy with a story, please email chrissy @ thedebrief.org.