Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Experience the first full-color images and data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in a brand new way. NASA’s Webb Telescope uncovered two views of the Southern Ring Nebula, one in near-infrared light and one in mid-infrared light. The colors in the images were mapped to pitches of sound — frequencies of light converted directly to frequencies of sound — in a data sonification.
This video only includes sounds from the mid-infrared view. Mid-infrared light is represented by lower notes overall to reflect that mid-infrared includes longer wavelengths of light. There are two stars in the center of this planetary nebula. Listeners will hear a low note just before a higher note, which denotes that two stars were detected in mid-infrared light. The lower note represents the redder star that created this nebula, and the second is the star that appears brighter and larger.
Sonifications support blind and low-vision listeners first, but are designed to be captivating to anyone who tunes in. This sonification, which scans the images from left to right, was adapted to a video to allow sighted viewers to watch as a vertical line moves across the frame.
The sonification does not represent sounds recorded in space. Two musicians mapped the telescope’s data to sound, carefully composing music that represents near- and mid-infrared light, specifically to hear their contrasts. In a way, this sonification is like modern dance or an abstract painting – it converts two of Webb’s images into a new medium to engage and inspire listeners. Learn more: nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/nasa-webb-s-first-full-color-images-data-are-set-to-sound
Also listen to these versions of the Southern Ring Nebula sonification:
1. Near-infrared Image: youtu.be/k7zNJsf3z7w
2. Side-by-Side Image: youtu.be/La9DB-bcy5Y
Want more Webb sonifications? Check out the Carina Nebula sonification (youtu.be/j9shIxS-W-8), and the WASP-96 b sonification (youtu.be/vqa94WD6smc).
Credits: Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI; Accessibility Production: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and Kimberly Arcand (CXC/SAO), Matt Russo and Andrew Santaguida (SYSTEM Sounds), Quyen Hart (STScI), Claire Blome (STScI), and Christine Malec (consultant).
Experience the first full-color images and data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in a brand new way. NASA’s Webb Telescope uncovered two views of the Southern Ring Nebula, one in near-infrared light and one in mid-infrared light. The colors in the images were mapped to pitches of sound — frequencies of light converted directly to frequencies of sound — in a data sonification.
This video only includes sounds from the mid-infrared view. Mid-infrared light is represented by lower notes overall to reflect that mid-infrared includes longer wavelengths of light. There are two stars in the center of this planetary nebula. Listeners will hear a low note just before a higher note, which denotes that two stars were detected in mid-infrared light. The lower note represents the redder star that created this nebula, and the second is the star that appears brighter and larger.
Sonifications support blind and low-vision listeners first, but are designed to be captivating to anyone who tunes in. This sonification, which scans the images from left to right, was adapted to a video to allow sighted viewers to watch as a vertical line moves across the frame.
The sonification does not represent sounds recorded in space. Two musicians mapped the telescope’s data to sound, carefully composing music that represents near- and mid-infrared light, specifically to hear their contrasts. In a way, this sonification is like modern dance or an abstract painting – it converts two of Webb’s images into a new medium to engage and inspire listeners. Learn more: nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/nasa-webb-s-first-full-color-images-data-are-set-to-sound
Also listen to these versions of the Southern Ring Nebula sonification:
1. Near-infrared Image: youtu.be/k7zNJsf3z7w
2. Side-by-Side Image: youtu.be/La9DB-bcy5Y
Want more Webb sonifications? Check out the Carina Nebula sonification (youtu.be/j9shIxS-W-8), and the WASP-96 b sonification (youtu.be/vqa94WD6smc).
Credits: Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI; Accessibility Production: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, and Kimberly Arcand (CXC/SAO), Matt Russo and Andrew Santaguida (SYSTEM Sounds), Quyen Hart (STScI), Claire Blome (STScI), and Christine Malec (consultant).
