Sonification Techniques for Astronomical Data Exploration
This work investigates the application of sonification techniques to facilitate the exploration and analysis of large-scale astronomical data, particularly in the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Sonification, which transforms data relations into perceived relations in acoustic signals, provides an alternative communication method that can enhance data interpretation and speed up analysis. The study cites examples from everyday life and scientific applications, highlighting the potential of sonification to detect patterns in data that may indicate intelligent civilizations, as suggested by the Drake equation.
Sonification Techniques for Astronomical Data Exploration
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Presentation Transcript
Paul Lunn BSc(Hons) MSc PCPD FHEA MIET Supervised by Dr A Hunt (Department of Electronics, The University of York) Sonification Techniques for Astronomical Data Exploration
Sonification • “The transformation of data relations into perceived relations in an acoustic signal for the purposes of facilitating communication or interpretation” (Kramer et al, 1999).
Examples of Sonification • Everyday Examples • “Ping” of microwave oven • Play video games without sound • Geiger counter • Scientific applications • Seismology • ECG analysis • DNA Sequencing • Geographical Information Systems • Helicopter engine telemetry analysis • Higgs Boson simulation
Benefits of Sonification • The ear is better at detecting rapid or transient changes than the eye. • We perceive several sounds simultaneously • An “eyes free” interface • We don’t have ear-lids • Back grounding • But also… • Sound can be irritating! • Hearing impediments/amusia • (Kramer 1994)
What my work is about… • Can sonification can speed up the analysis/exploration of very large scale data sets? • Labour intensive with visualization methods • The “Data deluge” caused by modern astronomical observations • An ideal candidate is The Search for Extra- Terrestrial Intelligence - SETI
The Drake equation and SETI N = R fp nefl fi fc L N = number of advanced technological civilisations R = number of new stars formed each year fp = fraction of stars with planets ne = Number of planets that can support life fl = fraction of planets which have life fi = fraction of planets where life is intelligent fc = fraction of planets where life has developed ability to communicate over stellar distances L = average lifetime of technological civilisation (SETI League, 2003) It is estimated that there could be 100,000,000intelligent civilisations within the Milky Way
We can observe radio waves from the earths surface - cheaply reproduced from NASA (n.d)
The Water Hole – 1420 MHz • Cooper (2010)
Simulations Noise + sine Squiggle + noise
Statement of Hypothesis • Applying sonification techniques to SETI radio astronomy data can be an efficient tool for identifying intelligence patterns
References • Cooper, P., (2010) “ SETI: the Water Hole” available online at <http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1004/26seti5/ > [Accessed 10/06/2012] • Kramer, G. (1994) An Introduction to Auditory Display, in Kramer G. (ed.) "Auditory Display: Sonification, Audification, and Auditory Interface", Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA • Kramer, G., Walker, B., Bonebright, T., Cook, P., Flowers, J., Miner, N., and Neuhoff, J., (1999 ) “Sonification report: Status of the field and research agenda,” Tech. Rep., International Community for Auditory Display • NASA, (n.d.), Atmospheric Opacity, image online at < http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atmospheric_electromagnetic_opacity.svg> [Accessed 21/12/10] • SETI League, (2003) “What is the Drake Equation?” available on line at <http://www.setileague.org/general/drake.htm> [Accessed 10/06/2012]