Sounds of the Solar System
by Leo Taylor
Somehow I’ve gone through life without hearing what the planets sound like. I didn’t know sounds existed in space.
NASA has had the capability going back to Voyager 1. The spacecraft have electromagnetic sensors that pick up wideband signals. They filter the signal and pass only the audible range and have what essentially is sound from space.
The below link contains audio from several planets, moons, and rings. Each of has a distinctive sound.
In my humble opinion Jupiter sounds like a storm, Neptune sounds like an ocean, and the first recording of Saturn’s rings sounds like bells!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmWeZHsQzs&noredirect=1
A Verbose and Meandering Rendition of About a Half an Hour Under a Beautiful Clear Sky in Northern Hamden CT During the 2014 Geminid Meteor Shower
by Ray Kaville
December 16, 2014 @ 23:59
A somewhat balmy night in December, around 40 degrees and unusually clear. Very slight breeze from time to time, but not enough to chill. A friend out in Hampton was on his deck looking southeast and posted on Facebook how amazing it was to see this shower on the 15th. I was dressed in a pair of warm up pants, old sneakers and sox and a sweatshirt all ready to hit the dune rack, but I had to see what the buzz was about.
The skies were thrilling to look at with all the bright stars and constellations floating there. Uncharacteristically clear. After setting up a deck chair and laying it back to about 40 degrees I faced it towards Gemini and settled back to just gaze at the sky. Probably my favorite part of this hobby. (the lazy part;-) Where else can you lay back and relax and actually accomplish something constructive? In a couple of minutes I started drawing my limbs together to conserve heat. I knew if I went in I’d never come back out and this was too much to miss out on.
Approx 00:08 a small meteor passed between Pollux and Castor towards Elnath in Taurus. Just like a hundred lawyers at the bottom of the bay, a nice start (sorry to all you lawyers out there). I panned around and identified what constellations I could. At one point it occurred to me how derelict I’ve been in this hobby. As I passed east of the twins I was having trouble remembering what was in that part of the sky. I thought I saw some of Leo and was pretty sure I spotted Leo Minor. Couldn’t find Cancer, but if I remembered it was there I probably could have worked it out. Just about then a very bright star passes into view from behind my roof. Jupiter – I think! First time I’ve seen this beauty in months! Wish I had my binocs out to confirm (again very derelict, oh, and I was tired. Really!).
The Milky Way’s easy. Perseus and Cassy in the western trees. A couple of stars in Ursa Minor. The last couple of stars of Cygnus the swan dropping out of view. Swing back to Taurus to get a long look at M45 between the branches. Yeah, either I cut down a bunch of 30 foot trees (not on my property) or wait till winter and deal with branches. 00:12 Just as I moved to locate M42 in the branches, Zoom! A nice one! Started between Pollux and Castor and passed straight through and almost right down to Bellatrix! Wow! That was a long one. My focus was back in the Gemini area now and 00:14 a very tiny streak passed Castor. Interestingly, the NASA video pegged the exact starting spot this originated as the radiant point of the Geminids! Around 00:16 a nice little fireball ran along under the Castor (right figure’s) arm and straight towards M35, burning out right where the leg starts. It got quiet. Now I get to enjoy a little more time in a sublimely quiet, dark area with no dogs barking and no doors slamming at the dorm house next door. (I think they left town for the holidays, and this time they turned OFF the lights!). Just me and the rustling oak leaves and that majestic view of the cosmos.
00:18 I thought I spotted a flash by Pollux. I’m wondering if it’s possible that a meteor was coming straight in like that and burning up in short order? More quiet time. Well it’s getting to be about 00:23 now and I’m starting to feel too much of the cold. Just about ready to call it a night and BANG! A really nice good sized fireball burns down between the bottom of Gemini and Auriga and straight down almost to Orion’s head. This was a beauty that lit up the sky and prompted me to hang out for another few minutes. 00:28 It’s still quiet and I’m still cold. Time to call it a night.
It was short, but oh so pleasant to get out there and experience at least a part of the Geminids. It would have been nice to have been out there last night for the full show all prepped in warm clothes with a pair of binocs and warm shoes, but sometimes we take what we get.
Clear Skies!