Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU)

a project @CenterforAstro with sonifications of celestial variables geared to the general public and especially for people who are blind or visually impaired

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Read all about sonification, including the SDU project, in a @SkyandTelescope article by @starsandspice

https://t.co/zc6SgowGEZ

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

@PlotAstro #scicomm #accessibility #astronomy

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Fast radio bursts are bright pulses of radio emission that last only a fraction of a second. The following fast radio burst was detected by AKSAP, a radio telescope, and it is sonified below

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

The origin of fast radio bursts isn’t known yet (hypotheses range from neutron stars to black holes to extraterrestrial intelligence), so they are a frontier of discovery in astronomy!

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

@SarahGKane Was so valuable and interesting to hear your thoughts on SDU & sonification as a whole on the podcast!

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

We had so much fun talking about SDU & sonification on astrosoundbites!

[astrosoundbites @astrosoundbites]

In Ep. 60, it's time for our jam-packed sonification sequel episode, which includes two interviews (@theSDUniverse and Sarah Kane), 5 space sounds, and a critical fourth “i” for how sonification is used for instruction in astronomy! Check it out here: https://t.co/mTAjUOlGlt

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

@PlotAstro #scicomm #astronomy #accessibility

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Binary star systems are two stars that orbit a shared center of gravity. Eclipsing binary stars are inclined exactly 90 degrees to Earth, meaning that for part of their orbit, each star blocks part or all of the light from the other star. Listen to an eclipsing binary below!

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Which of the dips in brightness correspond to the brighter star?

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Our website contains all of the variables posted here and more! Link in bio

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

@PlotAstro Yes! The outliers correspond to stellar flares

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

BY Draconis (BY Dra) variable stars have large spots on their surface. As they rotate, these spots come in and out of view, changing the overall brightness that we see from earth. Below is a sonified video of the brightness fluctuations of this variable star

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

#scicomm #astroplot #astronomy @PlotAstro

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

The video scans over time (x-axis) and modulâtes pitch based on magnitude (y-axis). Lower pitch represents dimmer magnitudes

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

@PlotAstro #scicomm #accessibility #astronomy

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

Quasars or quasi-stellar objects are super luminous objects powered by active supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. Quasars are so bright that they can be observed at vast distances from us. Below is sonified spectrum of a quasar

[Sensing the Dynamic Universe (SDU) @theSDUniverse]

The quasar is redshifted so much, moving the H-alphas emission line towards the redder or higher wavelengths