152
PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
in the lab today. (In fact, the lack of monopoles today was the key observation that led physicists to propose the inflationary universe idea.
So the concept of relic monopoles is well established in physics.)
It is conceivable, therefore, that a space-faring race might be able
to harvest these "primordial monopoles" left over from the big bang by
throwing out a large magnetic "net" in outer space. Once they have
gathered enough monopoles, they can coast through space, using the
magnetic field lines found throughout the galaxy or on a planet, without creating exhaust. Because monopoles are the subject of intense interest by many cosmologists, the existence of such a ship is certainly
compatible with current thinking in physics.
Lastly, any alien civilization advanced enough to send starships
throughout the universe has certainly mastered nanotechnology. This
would mean that their starships do not have to be very large; they
could be sent by the millions to explore inhabited planets. Desolate
moons would perhaps be the best bases for such nanoships. If so, then
perhaps our own moon has been visited in the past by a Type III civilization, similar to the scenario depicted in the movie 2001, which is
perhaps the most realistic depiction of an encounter with an extraterrestrial civilization. More than likely, the craft would be unmanned
and robotic and placed on the moon. (It may take another century before our technology is advanced enough to scan the entire moon for
anomalies in radiation, and is capable of detecting ancient evidence of
a previous visitation by nanoships.)
If indeed our moon has been visited in the past or has been the site
of a nanotech base, then this might explain why UFOs are not necessarily very large. Some scientists have scoffed at UFOs because they
don't fit any of the gigantic propulsion designs being considered by engineers today, such as ramjet fusion engines, huge laser-powered sails,
and nuclear pulsed engines, which might be miles across. UFOs can
be as small as a jet airplane. But if there is a permanent moon base left
over from a previous visitation, then UFOs do not have to be large; they
can refuel from their nearby moon base. So sightings may correspond
to unmanned reconnaissance ships that originate from the moon base.
Given the rapid advances in SETI and discovering extrasolar plan-
PHYSICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
in the lab today. (In fact, the lack of monopoles today was the key observation that led physicists to propose the inflationary universe idea.
So the concept of relic monopoles is well established in physics.)
It is conceivable, therefore, that a space-faring race might be able
to harvest these "primordial monopoles" left over from the big bang by
throwing out a large magnetic "net" in outer space. Once they have
gathered enough monopoles, they can coast through space, using the
magnetic field lines found throughout the galaxy or on a planet, without creating exhaust. Because monopoles are the subject of intense interest by many cosmologists, the existence of such a ship is certainly
compatible with current thinking in physics.
Lastly, any alien civilization advanced enough to send starships
throughout the universe has certainly mastered nanotechnology. This
would mean that their starships do not have to be very large; they
could be sent by the millions to explore inhabited planets. Desolate
moons would perhaps be the best bases for such nanoships. If so, then
perhaps our own moon has been visited in the past by a Type III civilization, similar to the scenario depicted in the movie 2001, which is
perhaps the most realistic depiction of an encounter with an extraterrestrial civilization. More than likely, the craft would be unmanned
and robotic and placed on the moon. (It may take another century before our technology is advanced enough to scan the entire moon for
anomalies in radiation, and is capable of detecting ancient evidence of
a previous visitation by nanoships.)
If indeed our moon has been visited in the past or has been the site
of a nanotech base, then this might explain why UFOs are not necessarily very large. Some scientists have scoffed at UFOs because they
don't fit any of the gigantic propulsion designs being considered by engineers today, such as ramjet fusion engines, huge laser-powered sails,
and nuclear pulsed engines, which might be miles across. UFOs can
be as small as a jet airplane. But if there is a permanent moon base left
over from a previous visitation, then UFOs do not have to be large; they
can refuel from their nearby moon base. So sightings may correspond
to unmanned reconnaissance ships that originate from the moon base.
Given the rapid advances in SETI and discovering extrasolar plan-