The harp of Cronus

April 24, 2018 9:01 AM

Play Saturn's Rings Like a Harp

In the featured sonification, increasing brighter regions of Saturn's central B-ring play as increasingly higher pitched notes. With a computer browser, click anywhere on the image to begin, and pluck consecutive strings by sliding the spacecraft icon's magnetometer boom across the strings.

posted by y2karl (8 comments total)

This is lovely.
posted by Fizz at 9:17 AM on April 24, 2018

Regarding Cronus
posted by y2karl at 9:22 AM on April 24, 2018

Actually, I wish we could rename Saturn. He is far too bloody a god to be the appellation of the most beautiful of planets. Since Juno is already taken, I would prefer Cybele or Magna Mater.
posted by y2karl at 9:44 AM on April 24, 2018 [2 favorites]

I would love to hear 4 people playing this in ensemble.
posted by otherchaz at 10:01 AM on April 24, 2018

I have a touchscreen on my chromebook allowing for arpeggios, grace notes and rhythmic tappings. No chords though. Minor sounds very much like a koto...
posted by jim in austin at 10:27 AM on April 24, 2018 [3 favorites]

This is great.

Sonification: Matt Russo (SYSTEM Sounds)

We saw (and heard) his planetarium show Our Musical Universe a while back.

Here's the post I made about it (includes more about the Saturn sounds).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:07 PM on April 24, 2018

Oh, man, I did not search thoroughly enough or I would have made that a previously. My apologies.
posted by y2karl at 12:12 PM on April 24, 2018

Oh, no worries! His stuff is really interesting, just wanted to share it. Protip: if people are in and around Toronto, check out the public astronomy and astrophysics events held by the Dunlap Institute at U of T.

Looks like there's a showing of Our Musical Universe coming up in May, and it's only 10 bucks to see it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:30 PM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]