NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has enabled a new way to experiment with space using three”sonicationwhich converts visual astronomical data into sounds.
The first sonication was for Westerlund 2, a group of young stars photographed by Hubble and X-rayed by Chandra. As the sound moves from left to right in the image, the brighter lights are represented by higher sounds, and the lights at the top of the picture have a higher switch.
The second sonication is for Tycho’s supernova remnant, with sounds starting at the center of the remnant and moving outward. Red colors, which indicate iron, are represented by lower shades, and blue colors, which indicate sulfur, are represented by higher shades.
They vote at last Galaxy M87 Show page The famous giant black hole in the middle, with a sound that sweeps the image like radar. Light closer to the center of the galaxy is represented in higher hues, and light further from the center in lower hues.
In addition to engaging the general public in science, one of the main goals of the project was to enable blind or visually impaired people to appreciate the wonders of the universe, explains Kimberly Arcand, Chandra’s chief optometrist.
“Sonication has been tested and verified with experts and persons who are blind or visually impaired (eg astrophysicist, amateur astronomers, students)” She said. “Each sonication is designed to best represent scientific data in a way that makes more sense for the specific data, while accurately representing it and telling a story, while providing a new way to convey meaning through sound.”
Arcand also said that she hopes her team will continue to cast more votes in the future as they have been well received. “From user testing of obesity with different audiences (from students to blind or visually impaired), the response has been very positive. In fact, it is an emotionally positive thing.”
“We hope to continue working on a more comprehensive application of the design of our astronomical data. How can we? We are excited to play a role in making the universe accessible to as many people as possible.”
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