December 6, 2008 #056 - Symphonies of the Planets

As a wildlife biologist, I have always enjoyed listening to natures sounds. Having astronomy as a hobby, I also enjoy the sounds of space. I hear someone saying you have got to be nuts. Let me explain. NASA has sent many probes throughout the solar system and beyond, which carry instruments that record frequencies above and below the human hearing range. Many radio telescopes also record these frequencies. Scientists have taken this data, shifted these frequencies into the human hearing range and in a few cases arranged them in artistic ways akin to a symphony. These presentations can be quite haunting and pleasing.

One of my favorites is a 5 CD set of sounds recorded during the two Voyager flights to the limits of the solar system. From the box, "Share the journey of a 5 billion mile trek to the outer limits of the solar system. Hear the beautiful sounds of the solar planets. The complex interactions of the cosmic plasma of the universe, charged electromagnetic particles from the solar wind, planetary magnetosphere, rings and moons create vibration 'soundscapes' which are utterly alien and deeply familiar to the ear. Some sounds are hauntingly like human voices singing, giant Tibetan bowls, wind, waves, birds and dolphins". If you can find this set either new, used, or maybe in a library, it is a unique and wonderful way to find out what we human beings are missing, due to our limited senses.

The set is 'Symphonies of the Planets' and was produced in 1990 by LaserLight Digital and is #15 925. It is still available on the net.


Clear Sky - Rich