2023/05/17 by Freeman J. Dyson, Dyson, Freeman J. · 1 voice · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #astro-ph.SR #gr-qc #physics.hist-ph #physics.pop-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2305.10470
openalex publication_date 2023/05/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A gravitational machine is defined as an arrangement of gravitating masses from which useful energy can be extracted. It is shown that such machines may exist if the masses are of normal astronomical size. A simple example of a gravitational machine, consisting of a double star with smaller masses orbiting around it, is described. It is shown that an efficient gravitational machine will also be an emitter of gravitational radiation. The emitted radiation sets a limit on the possible performance of gravitational machines, and also provides us with a possible means for detecting such machines if they exist.