Tabby's Star Keeps Mysteriously Dimming, Sparking Theories From Dust Clouds to Alien Megastructures
Learn about the theories behind the unusual dimming of Tabby's Star, from alien megastructures to an orbiting companion planet.
The star Tabby's Star, also known as KIC 8462852, is located over 1,400 light-years away from Earth. For years, astronomers have struggled to explain the sporadic dimming of this star. Various theories have been proposed to account for the frequent brightness fluctuations, but none have been definitively proven. The most popular theory suggests that a massive, uneven ring of dust surrounds Tabby's Star.
Another theory proposes the presence of a nearby planet or brown dwarf companion orbiting the star. The most thrilling theory, however, suggests that an advanced alien civilization might be building a megastructure around the star. Despite these theories, no definitive evidence has emerged to support any of them, leaving the mystery of Tabby's Star largely unsolved.
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