StarTalk Radio Listening to the Universe with Kimberly Arcand
13 snips
Oct 8, 2024 Kimberly Arcand, an astrophysicist and data sonification expert at the Chandra X-ray Observatory, shares her insights into the cosmos. She explains what black holes sound like, revealing the exciting intersection of sound and astronomy. The discussion includes how advanced instruments like the James Webb and Chandra telescopes unlock the mysteries of our universe. Kimberly also delves into how data sonification enhances our understanding of celestial phenomena and its accessibility benefits, especially for visually impaired individuals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Infrared Discovery
- William Herschel discovered infrared light by measuring the temperature of colors.
- He found the hottest temperature where there was no visible light, concluding the sun emits light "unfit for vision."
Visible Light and Earth's Atmosphere
- Earth's atmosphere is transparent to visible light, allowing us to see the sun.
- Humans evolved to see visible light because of the sun and Earth's atmosphere.
JWST and Redshift
- The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) uses infrared light to observe the birth of galaxies.
- The universe's expansion redshifts light from early galaxies, stretching it from ultraviolet and X-rays into the infrared.