Alien Sun?

I thought about Dyson spheres, but they're generally described as a solid structure. I had not considered a Dyson sphere in progress.

*ponder* If the star's visual signature should happen to change as we watch, getting rapidly darker, I would consider that support of this hypothesis.

>> It might be useful to investigate whether the pattern is symmetrical, indicating a stable orbit of balanced entities. If it's a rotating mega-object, then a mass on one side of the sun should be balanced by one on the other. <<

That is an excellent idea. In fact, any organized structure would be more likely manufactured than natural. Nature can produce order, but the types of natural occurrence likely to cloud a star are unlikely to be orderly ones.

>> Not that I know anything about star-scale engineering, but it's what comes to mind! <<

I actually do remember a good deal of that, which is terrific for knowing what to look for. Methods of building a Dyson sphere that would be relevant to this context:

* Unbalanced patch build. You build starting from one point in a large segment, which is great for materials management, but you pretty much need gravitic technology to keep it stabilized in progress. Usually seen only in late-stage cultures.

* Balanced patch build. You assemble large sections opposite each other and connect them once you have enough. Basically what you described. Very popular.

* Lattice build. You create a framework and gradually fill in sections. Requires the least extra tech, and is awesomely cost-effective because you can do a staged build. The drawback is you have to make the whole damn lattice before you can install more than crew quarters. The favored option of patient yet precocious cultures.

Well, if they're making a lattice build, I'd want to say howdy and by the way, we admire your infrastructure. A single-patch? I'd wait for more data.

O_O

That would be scary.

Oh, there's plenty of room. It's just very easy to throw the thing out of whack by building more than the frame, until the frame is stable. You can put the crew quarters at the joints, scattered around the frame.

Most people don't read that stuff, even people who really should. Which is what leads directly to crowds of engineering students chanting, "Ringworld isn't stable!"