The sound of the sun

Date: March 1, 2010
Written By: Nicole Casal Moore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzZQnShYsCYScientists can now listen to a set of solar wind data that’s usually represented visually, as numbers or graphs. University of Michigan researchers have “sonified” the data. They’ve created an acoustic, or musical, representation of it.The researchers’ primary goal was to try to hear information that their eyes might have missed in solar wind speed and particle density data gathered by NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer satellite. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles emanating from the sun.The process of sonification isn’t new. It’s how Geiger counter radiation detectors emit clicks in the presence of high-energy particles.”What makes this project different is the level of artistic license I was given,” said composer and recent U-M School of Music alumnus Robert Alexander.The product, which Alexander says is “in between art and science,” sounds appropriately primal and otherworldly. In one version, Alexander used what he describes as a tribal drum beat to represent the rotation of the sun, and he layered the voice of a singer (his sister) to represent the charge state of carbon atoms, for example.”Every piece of scientific data tells a story. I’m expressing this story through music,” Alexander said. “These sonifications present scientific data in a way that is immediately visceral.”The solar wind fills the solar system and interacts with the planets, said Jason Gilbert, a research fellow in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences. On Earth, solar storms can disrupt power on the ground and on satellites. Scientists study it in part to improve their predictions about how it will behave.”In this sonification, we can actually hear in the data when the temperature goes up, or when the density increases,” Gilbert said.While the researchers didn’t detect new information in this initial experiment, they see possibilities. “I am excited for sonification’s potential in research, but I think more work will need to be done to realize that potential,” said Jim Raines, research computer specialist with the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences.Thomas Zurbuchen, an associate dean in engineering and an atmospheric science professor, is proud of these initial results. (The sonification project was his idea.)”To me, this project exemplifies what U-M is about: creativity reaching seamlessly across many fields to create something new,” Zurbuchen said.

Comments

Dick Reck - 1973

Cool – the concept of analyzing data utilizing sound is intriguing. I have seen how visual analysis can improve data analysis, this could add depth to our understanding of this data.

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Lori Holtsclaw - 1976

Prof. Zurbuchen: I think your idea to sonify the son was great. Although atmospheric applications were mentioned, you might consider the potential for human relaxation and the emerging trend toward connection with nature. I\’d like to hear earth and moon sonification as well. Most of all, I think people would love to hear real-time sonified music of the earth, moon and sun. It could do much for ecology and the environment if people could hear the sound of the earth minute by minute. People generally dislike elevator music. Perhaps the world would be a better place if offices played real-time subscriptions to sonified earth music.

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David Scott Ellinwood - 1964

What a wonderful idea that has great potential for a meaningful collaboration between serious science and serious artistic expression.
I was personally very disappointed with the banal pop music quality of the result. For me, all the sonic wind sounds were overwhelmed with insipid frantic rhythms and irrelevant vocalizations. Just a constant driving beat, with no pauses or calm periods. Where was the dramatic contrast shown in the fabulous videos of the solar flares? With such talent in the U of M School of Music and its towering reputation for producing wonderful composers, I expected much more.

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G McDowell - 1985

I would have liked to hear the actual sounds that were recorded. Interesting and educational.

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Deby Cort - 1985

I love this concept, but disappointed in the production. Try again! This is a superb idea and has great potential, not to be shelved.

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mark sullivan - 1968

seems to have a close relationship to
Charle’s Dodge’s work:
the Earth’s Magnetic Field – 1970
http://somerecords.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/charles-dodge-earths-magnetic-field-1970/

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