Jupiter sounds (so strange) NASA-Voyager recording

In summary, NASA's Voyager spacecraft recorded some strange sounds from the gas giant planet Jupiter during its flyby in 1979. These sounds, which were caused by interactions between the planet's magnetic field and charged particles, were described as eerie and otherworldly. Studying these sounds has provided scientists with valuable insights into the complex and dynamic environment of Jupiter.
  • #1
jostpuur
2,116
19


Is this real stuff?

My first reaction was that that must be fake. Somebody just composed some sounds effects, and is making fun of astronomy. I didn't succeed in finding any debunking for that though, from the internet, yet. Then I found this NASA site:

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/features/halloween_sounds.html

It says:

Some spacecraft have instruments capable of capturing radio emissions. When scientists convert these to sound waves, the results are eerie to hear. In time for Halloween, we've put together a compilation of elusive "sounds" of howling planets and whistling helium that is sure to make your skin crawl.

Oh... time to start believing? But when I listened to the sounds from the NASA site, actually they didn't sound the same as the sounds in the youtube... So I'm left slightly confused and unsure.
 
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  • #2
I'm not an expert on Jupiter, but the sounds on youtube are mixed with a synthesizer.

Nasa is more credible of course.

If you want to be sure, build your own radio telescope, or get a kit and stretch a wire antenna in your backyard. It's a very simple shortwave type of receiver.

http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/
 
  • #3
Personally, I have two possible hypotheses for this.

Hypothesis 1: Some hoax guy started thinking that: "because NASA has really transformed some EM radiation recordings to sound, and because NASA staff admits that the sounds are eerie to hear, then average folks are unlikely going to figure out the truth if I simply fake some eerie sound effects and claim them to be from space".

Hypothesis 2: The sounds in youtube are real, but they sound different from the recordings available in the NASA site, because the youtube sounds are more heavily edited, but still originating from some space recordings.
 
  • #4
There are some other sounds in youtube too. For example this:



That doesn't sound so suspicious as the alleged Jupiter sounds. I see no immediate reason to doubt the claim that those are sounds from Saturn.
 
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  • #5
What decides how you convert this to audio? Is this AM or FM? I assume they're choosing specific bands and not just taking the whole radio range and mushing it together, then converting it in a way that would make it sound weird (other than fuzz). Cause that would be such degrading "science"...right?
 
  • #6
Hi,

I haven't listened to the link posted,

But, a characteristic "wave-crashing" sound on Shortwave Radio is emitted by Jupiter. I think it is around 18 MHz but I may be wrong.
 
  • #7
possibly..
 
  • #8
jostpuur said:


That doesn't sound so suspicious as the alleged Jupiter sounds. I see no immediate reason to doubt the claim that those are sounds from Saturn.


I still think that that does not sound as suspicious as the alleged Jupiter sounds, but I'm starting to see some reasons to believe that that is not real either. The video says "For more information about the Cassini-Huygens mission, visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov". However, when I went to the NASA site, I was unable to find these kind of sounds files there. This of course does not prove that the sounds are not real. You can prove (reasonably) that the sounds are real by finding a sound file with similar sounds from some NASA site, but you cannot prove that the sounds are fake by failing to find some sounds file from some NASA site :devil: But! I did find something from the NASA site. This: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/video/videodetails/?videoID=111 Again. Completely different from the sounds on the youtube.
 
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  • #9
Thanks for sharing
 
  • #10
Please correct me if I am very wrong here, but if it doesn’t sound right, maybe there have been two types of sound, and the example given on youtube, (my computer won’t let me listen to variations) that converted which occurs at humanly audible frequencies, and that which has also had the frequency changed?

So, of the two types of sound, there is one that is the radio bursts, from the previous radiojove link or mentioned here
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/20feb_radiostorms.htm

'Naturally-occurring radio beacons from Jupiter's magnetic poles, fueled by volcanic emissions from Io, can be detected by earth-based antennae.'

The other, which might be what was youtubed, has been converted to sound from lower frequencies-
(2001) http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2001/audiocassini2001.html
'Cassini's radio and plasma wave science instrument detected the waves at low radio frequencies, which University of Iowa scientists have converted to sound waves to make the patterns audible. '
or
'The period represented in the graph and audio file lasted 30 seconds. In the process of presenting as sound waves what were originally electric waves, the frequency has been sped up and a few short gaps have been spliced out, resulting in a 10-second audio clip.'
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=3357
(but I don't know how sound the reference is).

as was this, converted to pitch, but not an audible one?-
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/09sep_blackholesounds.htm

And as were the youtubed sounds of Saturn converted from higher frequencies, or these cells?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7679000/7679354.stm
 
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  • #11
I could edit further, but found this and will just link it in a new post.
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/galileo/sounds.cfm
It mentions sonification, and I don't know if it applies to my previous post (although the sound bites do sound a bit different- my computer let me hear these!).
 

1. What is the source of the "Jupiter sounds" recorded by NASA's Voyager?

The "Jupiter sounds" recorded by NASA's Voyager spacecraft are actually radio signals emitted by the planet's magnetosphere.

2. How were the "Jupiter sounds" recorded by NASA's Voyager?

The "Jupiter sounds" recorded by NASA's Voyager were captured by the spacecraft's plasma wave instrument, which is designed to detect radio and plasma waves in the space surrounding the spacecraft.

3. Why do the "Jupiter sounds" sound so strange?

The "Jupiter sounds" sound strange because the planet's magnetosphere is interacting with charged particles from the sun, creating complex and ever-changing radio emissions.

4. What can the "Jupiter sounds" tell us about the planet's atmosphere?

The "Jupiter sounds" can tell us about the planet's atmosphere by providing information about the strength and structure of its magnetic field, as well as the composition and density of its ionosphere.

5. How do the "Jupiter sounds" affect our understanding of the planet?

The "Jupiter sounds" provide valuable information about the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere, allowing scientists to better understand the dynamics and processes at work on Jupiter. They also give us a unique opportunity to experience the sounds of a distant world, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the vastness and diversity of our universe.

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