All three musical objects recently announced by NASA are the stunning first images captured by the $9 billion James Webb Space Telescope, which have captivated the world.
According to Space, using a technique called data sonification, the James Webb team at NASA has transformed the telescope’s observational data into sound, creating musical compositions in different styles.
The two nebulae chosen by NASA to encode data into music – (Image: NASA/ESA/CSA/SPACE).
The primary goal of this initiative is to allow the deaf community to also enjoy the achievements of the James Webb, “the all-seeing eye”, co-operated by NASA, ESA, and CSA (the space agencies of the United States, Europe, and Canada).
The three fascinating objects selected by NASA to be transformed into music are part of the “cosmic wall” of the Carina Nebula, the Southern Ring Nebula, and the giant hot gas planet WASP-96b.
While the Carina Nebula produces a mesmerizing melodic tune, the Southern Ring Nebula presents a chaotic mix of gentle to eerie notes. Meanwhile, the music from the gas giant WASP-96b is haunting.
The three enchanting musical pieces created by NASA from James Webb data – (Clip: NASA/ESA/CSA/SPACE)
This enhancement to reach the deaf community is part of a project called Universe of Learning.
“These components provide an alternative way to experience insights from Webb’s initial data” – said Quyen Hart, a senior scientist for outreach and education at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland, USA, to Space.
Data sonification has encoded various information from the objects, including color, brightness, position, and signs of water absorption, converting them into sound.
