arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Nic Bonne.
A multi-disciplinary team recently came together online to discuss the application of sonification in astronomy, focussing on the effective use of sound for scientific discovery and for improving accessibility to astronomy research and education. Here we provide a meeting report.
We have created a show about the Solar System, freely available for both planetariums and home viewing, where objects in space are represented with sound as well as with visuals. For example, the audience listens to the stars appear above the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and they hear the planets orbit around their heads. The aim of this show is that it can be enjoyed and understood, irrespective of level of vision. Here we describe how we used our new computer code, STRAUSS, to convert data into sound for the show. We also discuss the lessons learnt during the design of the show, including how it was imperative to obtain a range of diverse perspectives from scientists, a composer and representatives of the blind and vision impaired community.