What is Kardashev Scale? What rank do we hold on it right now?

The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964.

The scale is hypothetical, and regards energy consumption on a cosmic scale. Since then various extensions of the scale have been proposed, including a wider range of power levels types 0, IV through V.

Categories

The Kardashev scale has three designated categories, these are:

• A Type I civilization, also called a planetary civilization, can use and store all of the energy available on its planet.

• A Type II civilization, also called a stellar civilization, can use and control energy at the scale of its planetary system.

• A Type III civilization, also called a galactic civilization, can control energy at the scale of its entire host galaxy.

1. Type I civilization

Technological level of a civilization that is "close to the level presently attained on Earth, with energy consumption at ≈4×1019erg/sec" (4×1012 watts). Currently, the civilization of Type I is usually defined as one that can harness all the energy that falls on a planet from its parent star (for Earth–Sun system, this value is close to 1.74×1017 watts), which is about four orders of magnitude higher than the amount presently attained on Earth, with energy consumption at ≈2×1013 watts.

2. Type II civilization

A civilization capable of harnessing the energy radiated by its own star—for example, the stage of successful construction of a Dyson sphere or Matrioshka brain—with energy consumption at ≈4×1033 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization capable of using and channeling the entire radiation output of its star. The energy use would then be comparable to the luminosity of the Sun, about 4×1033 erg/sec (4×1026watts).

3. Type III civilization

A civilization in possession of energy at the scale of its own galaxy, with energy consumption at ≈4×1044 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization with access to the power comparable to the luminosity of the entire Milky Way galaxy, about 4×1044 erg/sec (4×1037 watts).

There are some extensions of it too and the most straightforward extension of the scale to even more hypothetical Type IV beings who can control or use the entire universe or Type V who control collections of universes. This would also include Type 0 civilizations, who do not rank on the Kardashev scale. The power output of the visible universe is within a few orders of magnitude of 1045 W. Such a civilization approaches or surpasses the limits of speculation based on current scientific understanding and may not be possible.

According to the scientists seeing the power consumption of the humans on earth , it can be said that we still have a way to become a type 1 civilization , but its good we are not a type 0 civilization , acc. to scientists humans are now a 0.7 civilization and soon will be a type 1 .