ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights

Solar Orbiter data has been used by ESA to create an audio-visual representation of solar activity

ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Buddy_Nath

Solar Orbiter turns three years of solar activity into sound.

Highlights
  • ESA’s Solar Orbiter transforms solar flares into sound
  • New way to study solar activity via audio and visuals
  • Solar maximum marked by increased solar flare activity
Advertisement

Solar activity over the past three years has been transformed into audible sound through data collected by the Solar Orbiter, a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. This innovative sonification captures the progression of solar flares, highlighting changes in solar activity as the Sun approaches its 11-year cycle peak. Visual and auditory cues were used to represent solar flares, allowing researchers and the public to experience these events in a novel way.

Visual and Auditory Interpretation of Solar Data

According to data from ESA's Solar Orbiter mission, images from the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) and the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) were combined to create this unique representation. Blue circles were mapped to show the location and size of X-rays emitted by solar flares, while the Sun's outer atmosphere was depicted in yellow. Each blue circle was paired with an audible tone, increasing in frequency as solar activity intensified.

Correlations with the Solar Cycle

As reported by space.com, the frequency of solar flares has increased, aligning with the Sun's approach toward solar maximum, the most active phase of its cycle. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA have confirmed that the solar maximum is currently underway, marking an ideal period for observing phenomena such as the northern lights.

Orbital Proximity Reflected in Sound

Klaus Nielsen, affiliated with DTU Space and Maple Pools, developed the sonification. It was noted that the background hum within the audio reflected the elliptical orbit of Solar Orbiter. Every six months, the spacecraft's proximity to the Sun changes, with the sound intensifying as it moves closer and softening as it moves farther away.

This collaboration provides insights into the Sun's behaviour, offering an engaging way to study space weather and solar activity. The project highlights the potential of integrating auditory elements into scientific data for enhanced understanding.

 

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Gadgets 360 Staff
The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More
Amazon Great Republic Day Sale 2025: Best Deals on Premium Laptops
Data Breach Exposed Precise Location Information of Millions Using Popular Smartphone Apps
Facebook Gadgets360 Twitter Share Tweet Snapchat LinkedIn Reddit Comment google-newsGoogle News

Advertisement

Follow Us
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »