The “Sounds of Space” as an Interdisciplinary Way of Science Dissemination

Planet Earth is a natural source of radio emissions, which surround us all the time. Radio waves propagate in the Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere, but cannot be heard by humans since they are electromagnetic waves. When we convert them to sound waves they can be detected by our ears. These acoustic phenomena can even become so rich that we call them "Earth Songs". Far away from our solar system, the pulsars are dense and highly magnetized rotating neutron stars. They emit electromagnetic radiation (radio waves), which may also be converted to sound waves. There are many ways of scientific data “sonification” which create an “audible understanding” of space physics and astrophysics phenomena. In this regard, the quality of magnetospheric disturbances, like magnetic storms, or the rotation of the pulsars are understood through musical expressions. The methodological link between sonification of astronomical data with music resonates strongly with Pythagorean ideas about the "harmony of the spheres". For the Pythagorean philosophers, astronomers and mathematicians were the first to talk about the “sounds” produced by celestial bodies while relating their orbital characteristics to musical notes. Sonification and the art of sound can play a key role in astronomy education as well as in science communication, artistic performance and music composition. This interdisciplinary method combining astronomy, music and philosophy has been explored by several projects that will be presented this talk, which encompasses work with the general public, children, students and persons with deficiencies in sight.

Speakers
Fiori-Anastasia Metallinou

Schedule Speaker List

INSAP 2024

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