Kardashev Civilizations

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Three types of civilizations have been postulated by Nikolai Kardashev for the development of a "super civilization":

Type I

A civilization in a similar stage of development as Earth, having control of most of the energy sources of the planet of origin (~ 4 x 10¹² W).

Type II

A civilization having reached a level of development at which it controlled the energy output of its own star (~ 4 x 10²⁶ W). This is the civilization that is first capable of constructing a "Dyson Sphere".

Type III

A civilization which has gained control of the energy output of the entire galaxy (~ 4 x 10³⁷ W).