NASA has unveiled three new sonic compositions derived from data collected about black holes. These compositions use a process called data sonification, translating data from telescopes like Chandra, James Webb, and IXPE into sounds that allow us to experience these cosmic phenomena in a new way.
Exploring the Sounds
Each sonification highlights different aspects of black holes, showcasing their evolution, diverse sizes, and varied environments. The first composition features WR 124, a Wolf-Rayet star 28,000 light-years away, known for ejecting its outer layers into space. Captured by the Webb telescope in infrared, the nebula around WR 124 is represented by flute-like tones, while the star itself sounds like chimes. This star is in a short-lived phase and may potentially collapse into a black hole in the future.
Another composition focuses on the SS 433 system, located 18,000 light-years away. This binary system consists of a star orbiting either a neutron star or a black hole, emitting X-ray jets detected by Chandra, IXPE, and XMM-Newton. In this sonification, radio waves create sustained organ notes, while the X-ray jets sound like water droplets, reflecting fluctuations in the orbital motion.
The final composition features the galaxy Centaurus A, 12 million light-years away, which hosts a supermassive black hole emitting jets across the galaxy. X-ray data from Chandra are translated into windy drones, while IXPE's X-ray light produces a high-pitched wind sound. Visible light data from the MPG/ESO telescope reveals the galaxy's stars, each represented by distinct instrumental tones.
These sonifications offer a unique way to understand black holes, using sound to reveal the intricate details captured by our most advanced telescopes.