Scientists investigating the prospect of life beyond Earth have thought about what such
life may look like, how humans might be able to detect it from afar, and whether communication
between the two worlds is possible. This concept has led to the creation of classification
systems that are ready to be filled with aliens. The Kardashev scale, named after the Soviet
scientist Nikolai Kardashev, who devised it in 1964, assesses alien civilizations based
on their ability to harness energy. It is a purely energy-based scale for measuring
a civilization’s technological prowess. The more energy a civilization has access
to, the better their technology can become. Within the first version, Kardashev originally
defined three types, or categories, of civilizations based on how much energy a civilization is
using. He defines Type I as a technological level
close to the level currently attained on Earth, Type II as a civilization capable of harnessing
the energy generated by its own star, and Type III as a civilization in possession of
energy on the scale of its own galaxy. The scale has had a few additions proposed
since the 1960s, beyond the somewhat limited three originally defined by Kardashev. These
new levels are type 0, IV, and V. A Type 0 civilization, as you might expect,
is a civilization that has not yet been able to harness the energy of its home planet fully.
As a result, it is a sub-global one that derives energy from raw materials. They haven’t
yet developed the ability to leave their home planet, but they’re steadily getting there.
Today, humans fall into this type of civilization since we still sustain our energy needs from
dead plants and animals. Some scientists estimate that we are only 100 to 200 years away from
graduating to Type I. Kardashev defines Type 1 civilization as one
that is still limited to a single planet. But, most importantly, the civilization must
be able to utilize all the energy of its home planet available at this level on the scale.
Nuclear fusion is presumably child’s play for this type of civilization, as well as
harnessing antimatter. It utilizes all the energy that reaches the
planet, like solar, and other power sources like geothermal and renewables would be expected.
Type II civilizations are civilizations that have successfully harnessed the total energy
of their local sun. One way to harness all the energy of their local sun is to build
a megastructure known as a Dyson Sphere around it.
These hypothetical devices would completely enclose a star, collect all of its energy,
and be able to transfer the energy for use by the home planet. This would require a high
level of technological expertise, to say the least.
Comprehensibly, the Dyson Sphere has become a staple in the search for extra-terrestrial
life. If you can spot a Dyson Sphere out in space, aliens should not be far behind.
They would also have colonized several planets in their local solar system. Extinction is
a distant fantasy for them. A Type III civilization would be able to harness
energy across a large number of star systems and planets, typically on a galactic scale.
The magnitude of their technological capability would be beyond our current comprehension
and, probably, imagination. According to some estimates, its energy is
roughly 10 billion times the energy production of a Type II civilization.
The beings in this civilization would use Dyson Spheres regularly, and they could even
be able to tap into the energy of black holes. If you think a galaxy-spanning civilization
isn’t magnificent enough, wait till you see a type IV.
Type IV civilization would be able to harness energy across the entire Universe. Nowadays,
this might sound hilarious. A type V civilization can do the same thing
in a multiverse by drawing energy from multiple universes. Absurd maybe, but it is possible
in the far future. Humans are a long way from achieving anything
like this. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done as long as we take care of the Earth
and each other. To do so, we must first protect our tiny home,
put an end to war, and continue to support scientific advancements and discoveries.
Is it possible that we are the only ones in the Universe? Probably not.
But are we likely to be visited or invaded in the future by a highly advanced civilization?
The jury is still out on this one. Let us hope that when they arrive, they do so peacefully.