{
  "id": 6477143,
  "title": "If alien civilizations use hyper-efficient computers, they will have a distinct energy signal we can detect",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/if-alien-civilizations-use-hyper-efficient-computers-they-will-have-a-6477143",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-09T21:20:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-alien-civilizations-hyper-efficient-distinct.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The author of a new paper argues that advanced alien civilizations could generate a distinct energy signal detectable from Earth via their hyper-efficient computers. This signal, dubbed a \"Slysh halo,\" would be a byproduct of extremely efficient and cold computing. The concept is rooted in the principle that computations generate waste heat, and the colder the computation, the more efficient it is. At temperatures near absolute zero, computers could be up to 30 times more efficient compared to room-temperature operations. The author posits that such highly efficient computers would radiate heat in the far-infrared or submillimeter spectrum. However, the heat signature of a civilization's star would have to be distinguished from that of debris encircling it, such as the Oort cloud around our sun. Despite this challenge, a fully optimized Slysh halo would be bright enough to be detected from as close as 100 light-years away, potentially discernible with current telescopes like ALMA. As more advanced instruments become available, the likelihood of detecting a Slysh halo increases. If such a signal is not found, it would suggest the absence of nearby alien civilizations.",
  "summary": "The growth of artificial intelligence has led to an increased demand for computational power, overwhelming chip manufacturers and power companies. This trend is expected to continue, with computers becoming increasingly powerful and efficient. The reliance on computation has become a defining characteristic of human civilization.\n\nA recent paper on the arXiv suggests that advanced alien civilizations may also prioritize computational power, pushing the boundaries of efficiency in their computing technology. According to Universe Today, such hyper-efficient computers would likely operate at supercool temperatures, generating less waste heat and increasing their efficiency.\n\nThe use of hyper-efficient computers by alien civilizations could potentially create a distinct energy signature, detectable from Earth. This signature, referred to as a \"Slysh halo\" by Universe Today, would be a result of the reduced waste heat generated by these advanced computers.",
  "key_points": [
    "Alien civilizations could use hyper-efficient computers.",
    "\"Slysh halo\" signal would be detectable from Earth.",
    "Detectable up to 100 light-years with current telescopes."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Universe Today",
        "title": "If Alien Civilizations Use Hyper-Efficient Computers, They Will Have A Distinct Energy Signal We Can Detect",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/if-alien-civilizations-use-hyper-efficient-computers-they-will-have-a",
        "published": "2026-09-09T15:11:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}