Von Neumann probeA Von Neumann probe is a fictional or hypothetical self-replicating machine, specifically designed for space exploration or colonisation. It is named after John Von Neumann (1903–1957), a Hungarian-born American mathematician and physicist who specialized in the field of self-replicating machines. The probe would be launched to a neighbouring star-system. Upon its arrival it would immediately seek out raw materials (asteroids, moons, gas giants, etc.) to create replicas of itself. Once it had created a sufficient number of replica probes, the original probe to enter the system would go about exploring the star-system. If a Von Neumann probe only finds evidence of primitive life (such as an unstable, savage civilization) they might simply lie dormant on the moon, silently waiting for it to evolve into a stable higher civilization. After waiting quietly for several millennia, they may be activated when the emerging civilization is advanced enough to set up a lunar colony. Physicist Paul Davies of the University of Adelaide has even raised the possibility of a Von Neumann probe resting on our own moon, left over from a previous visitation in our system aeons ago (like in 2001: A Space Odyssey (see below)). Meanwhile the duplicate probes would make their way to nearby star-systems and repeat the process, creating an exponentially increasing fleet of probes. It has been theorised that using Von Neumann probes, a galaxy could be explored in as little as half a million years. Popular cultureIn Star Control II, the Slylandro Probe is a Von Neumann probe. The monoliths in Arthur C. Clarke/Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey are also Von Neumann probes. Originally, the film began with a series of scientists explaining how probes like these would be the most efficient method of exploring outer space. Kubrick cut the opening segment from his film at the last minute, however, and these monoliths became almost mystical entities. See also: Von Neumann machine, Space colonization, interstellar travel |
|
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia article. Browse Wikipedia for more information. |