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

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Object Details

Creator
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Views
85,784
Video Title
Data Sonification: Sagittarius A* Black Hole, Event Horizon Telescope Image
Description
This is a sonification — translation into sound — of the latest image from the Event Horizon Telescope of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way called Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). Using a radar-like scan, the sonification begins at the 12 o'clock position and sweeps clockwise. Changes in volume represent the differences in brightness the EHT observed around the event horizon of Sgr A*. The material that is closer to the black hole and hence moving faster corresponds to higher frequencies of sound. This sonification was processed in a special way to allow a listener to hear the data in 3D stereo sound, in which the sounds seem to start directly ahead and then move clockwise to one ear then the other as the sweep is made. About the Sound: This is a radar-like scan, starting from 12 o'clock and moving clockwise. The brightness controls the volume and the radial position controls the frequencies that are present. The emission from material closer to the black hole (which orbits faster) is mapped to higher frequencies. The sound is rendered in binaural audio. When listened to with headphones, the sound will appear to start directly in front of you and then move clockwise all the way around your head. Listen for the three bright regions at about 1, 5, and 9 o'clock, as well as the very low tones indicating fainter light from outside the main ring. For more information, visit: https://chandra.si.edu/photo/2022/sgra/ Sonification Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/K.Arcand, SYSTEM Sounds (M. Russo, A. Santaguida); Image Credit: Radio: EHT Collaboration
Video Duration
33 sec
YouTube Keywords
astronomy space telescope astrophysics science
Uploaded
2022-05-12T13:07:11.000Z
Type
YouTube Videos
See more by
cxcpub
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
YouTube Channel
cxcpub
YouTube Category
Science & Technology
Topic
Astronomy
Record ID
yt_Nc8QqwydlYo
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply

Related Content

  • Cosmic Collections

  • Space Sounds: Data Sonification

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