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Space Sounds: Data Sonification

When you see stunning images of space, they’re often visual representations of data captured by telescopes, with different colors for different elements or types of energy. Now scientists are translating that data into sound—a process called sonification. Through sonification, you can "listen" to the center of the Milky Way as observed in X-ray, optical, and infrared light.


Data Sonification: M16 (Eagle Nebula, "Pillars of Creation") Optical Only

Data Sonification: M87

Data Sonification: M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) Optical Only

Data Sonification: V404 Cygni

Data Sonification: M104 (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: M87

Data Sonification: Cassiopeia A (Sulfur)

Data Sonification: Eta Carinae (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: Cassiopeia A (Silicon)

Data Sonification: Cassiopeia A (Jet)

Data Sonification: Cassiopeia A (Calcium)

Data Sonification: Bullet Cluster (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: Cassiopeia A (Iron)

Data Sonification: Galactic Center (Infrared)

Data Sonification: Galactic Center (Optical)

Data Sonification: Galactic Center (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

Data Sonification: Carina Nebula (All)

Data Sonification: Crab Nebula (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: Bullet Cluster (X-ray Only)

Data Sonification: Supernova 1987A Sonification (Optical Only)

Data Sonification: M104 (Infrared Only)

Data Sonification: Westerlund 2 (Optical)

Data Sonification: M104 (Optical Only)

Data Sonification: M87 (X-ray)

Data Sonification: Westerlund 2 (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: V404 Cygni (Wavelengths)

Data Sonification: R Aquarii (Multiwavelength)

Data Sonification: Bullet Cluster (Dark Matter Only)

Data Sonification: Bullet Cluster (Optical Only)

Data Sonification: Crab Nebula (Infrared Only)

Data Sonification: M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) Ultraviolet Only

Data Sonification: Crab Nebula (X-ray Only)

Data Sonification: Sagittarius A* Black Hole, Event Horizon Telescope Image

Data Sonification: Crab Nebula (Optical Only)


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