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[–] nicethingyoucanthave 0 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago 

a structure like that would emit radiation in the infrared range,

It doesn't necessarily have to radiate in all directions though. Moving energy around is what civilizations do. Maybe their power stations or their heat exchangers are at the poles, and we're viewing the system on edge.

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[–] The_Cat ago 

Possible, though if you want to cool such a massive structure in the vacuum of space, you'd probably want to radiate away waste heat all over so your equator doesn't melt.

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[–] nicethingyoucanthave ago 

It radiates some heat from the equator. But most of the energy collected from the star inside is moved to the poles. That's where their industry is. Thus, if you viewed the system from above its pole, it would be brighter. If you view it on edge, it's a bit dimmer.

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[–] sadam029 ago 

How can something radiate without going in all directions?

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[–] nicethingyoucanthave ago 

Imagine looking at a car with a thermal camera. Not all portions of the car are equally hot. From certain angles, the car would be brighter, and from certain angles it'd be dimmer.

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[–] The_Cat ago 

By focusing the radiation.