Extraterrestrial sound for planetaria: A pedagogical study

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this project was to supply an acoustical simulation device to a local planetarium for use in live shows aimed at engaging and inspiring children in science and engineering. The device plays audio simulations of estimates of the sounds produced by natural phenomena to accompany audio-visual presentations and live shows about Venus, Mars and Titan. Amongst the simulated noise are the sounds of thunder, wind and cryo-volcanoes. The device can also modify the speech of the presenter (or audience member) in accordance with the underlying physics to reproduce those vocalisations as if they had been produced on the world under discussion. Given that no time series recordings exist of sounds from other worlds, these sounds had to be simulated. The goal was to ensure that the audio simulations were delivered in time for a planetarium's launch show to enable the requested outreach to children. The exercise has also allowed an explanation, in an ageappropriate way, of the science and engineering behind the creation of the sounds. This has been achieved for young children, and also for older students and undergraduates, who could then debate the limitations of that method, and how a fuller research programme might rectify them. Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems CorporationExtraterrestrial sound for planetaria: a pedagogical study

Guest editorial: Acoustic and related waves in extraterrestrial environments

“…In order to design, deploy, and interpret acoustic systems for anemometry, 39 or infer atmospheric chemistry from the local sound speed, 40,41 predict the sound of thunder on Titan, 42 or for public engagement predict how voices or musical instruments might sound on other worlds, [43][44][45] we need to know the speed of sound 46,47 and absorption. 48,49,55 The goal of this Special Issue is to emphasize the role acoustics can play in the exploration of wave motions in Solar System environments and-possibly, in the near future, as long-range sensing evolves-in exoplanetary systems. The papers contained herein are meant to present a portion of the wide spectrum of applicability of acoustic and other waverelated phenomena to the study of alien environments.…”

“…The contribution by Leighton et al 55 present an acoustic system developed specifically for a planetarium, which is able to simulate alien "soundscapes" by placing the listener in virtual environments perturbed by the sounds of thunder, dust devils, or cryo-volcanoes. Using vocal tract modeling, the system also enables visitors to hear their voices altered interactively by the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, and Titan.…”