This is a sonification– translation into sound– of the most current image from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) 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 oclock position and sweeps clockwise. Changes in the volume represent the distinctions in brightness the EHT observed around the event horizon of Sgr A *. The product that is closer to the great void and hence moving faster represents higher frequencies of noise. This sonification was processed in a special method to enable a listener to hear the information in 3D stereo sound, in which the noises appear to begin directly ahead and then move clockwise to one ear and after that the other as the sweep is made.
By Chandra X-ray Observatory
May 15, 2022
About the Sound:
This is a radar-like scan, beginning from 12 oclock and moving clockwise.
The brightness manages the volume and the radial position controls the frequencies that are present.
The emission from product more detailed to the black hole (which orbits faster) is mapped to greater frequencies.
The noise is rendered in binaural audio. When listened to with headphones, the noise will appear to begin straight in front of you and after that move clockwise all the method around your head.
Listen for the 3 bright areas at about 1, 5, and 9 oclock, as well as the really low tones showing fainter light from outside the main ring.
Sonification Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/ K.Arcand, SYSTEM Sounds (M. Russo, A. Santaguida);.
Image Credit: Radio: EHT Collaboration; X-ray (NASA/CXC/SAO); Infrared (NASA/HST/STScI).
This is a sonification– translation into sound– of the latest image from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way called Sagittarius A * (Sgr A *). The product that is closer to the black hole and hence moving faster corresponds to greater frequencies of noise. This sonification was processed in an unique way to enable a listener to hear the information in 3D stereo noise, in which the sounds appear to start straight ahead and then move clockwise to one ear and then the other as the sweep is made.