From Arrival to Signs, flying saucers have been staple features in science fiction blockbusters throughout the years.

But rather than flying around on UFOs, a new study suggests that advanced civilisations might actually get around the galaxy by driving stars. 

According to Dr Clement Vidal, a philosopher from Vrije University Brussels, the fastest-moving stars in the galaxy may be piloted by intelligent aliens.

The vast distances between the stars make travelling immensely time-consuming and risky.

So, rather than leaving the comforts of their home system, some space-faring races might choose to bring their solar system along for the ride, according to the experts.

If aliens found a way of forcing their star to eject material in one direction, they could create a 'stellar engine' capable of travelling thousands of miles per second.

While this might sound like a wacky proposal, Dr Vidal says that it could be a reality here in the Milky Way. 

Stars with the right characteristics to become stellar engines have been shown to exist in our galaxy, he says.

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