Extraterrestrial

Astronomer: first aliens we encounter may be on the verge of collapse

By T.K. Randall
December 22, 2025 ·  45 comments

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) When we consider the possibilities of contact with an advanced extraterrestrial civilization, we tend to imagine an ancient, super-advanced and enlightened race that can teach us much about the cosmos.

According to Columbia University's Dr David Kipping, however, what's more likely is that the civilization we encounter is itself on the verge of total and catastrophic collapse.

This scenario is known as the Eschatian Hypothesis.

"Hollywood has preconditioned us to expect one of two types of alien contact, either a hostile invasion force or a benevolent species bestowing wisdom to humanity," said Dr Kipping.

"But the Eschatian hypothesis is neither."

"Here, first contact is with a civilization in its death throes, one that is violently flailing before the end."In a new paper, Dr Kipping maintains that there is a similarity between finding aliens and making other astronomical discoveries.

If you look up at the night sky, for example, around one-third of the stars you see are in their death throes - thus making them larger and brighter than most of the others.

The same thing is likely to be true for alien civilizations, he argues.

"So, by extension, we should expect that the first detection of an alien civilization to be someone who is being unusually loud," he said.

"Their behavior will probably be atypical, but their enormous volume makes them the most likely candidate for discovery."

Of course, the chilling thought occurs - could we be one such civilization ?

Only time will tell.

Source: Mail Online | Comments (45)

Tags: Alien, Extraterrestrial