Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/startalk Can you listen to a picture of the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice welcome back Chandra X-ray Observatory data-sonification expert Kim Arcand of the to explore how translating cosmic data into sound lets us sense the universe in entirely new ways. We break down what sonification is and why it helps both sighted and non-sighted people interpret information hidden in invisible wavelengths like X-rays and infrared. From reconstructing images through sound to rethinking how we perceive radio signals in movies like Contact, Neil and Chuck trace how these translations shift our understanding of space itself. With Chandra’s razor-sharp resolution, we explore how it is perfect for studying black holes, pulsars, and high-energy cosmic events. We break down stellar explosions, the bizarre behavior of Eta Carinae, and how 3D-printed nebulae help scientists analyze structures like the Homunculus. Learn about the power of sonification for detecting patterns, color-mapping choices in astrophysics, the eerie “sounds” of black holes, and how visualization can reveal details that raw numbers alone might miss. They dive into VR for space missions, coordinated global telescope campaigns, and explain why every new observatory opens a fresh cosmic window. Buy the book! 📖 'Why Space Will Freak You Out: The Scariest, Strangest Parts of the Universe' by Kimberly K. Arcand: https://a.co/d/eZTXWWV Outro Music Courtesy of @DrumState Song — 'DrumState - Data Sonification I': https://youtu.be/waTMyblr0dw?si=C2QI_zT2fORdEyi5 Thanks to our Patrons William Ash, Jonathan Bond, Frank Clowes, Aureus Griffith, Steven Tull, Jane, Rachel Banks, Dave, Colin Segovis, Danilo Alcantara, Nick Poulos, Val Teal, jr242, Kenny MacFarlane, LT From DC, A.J. Gonzalez, Aria Vaughn, Damion King, Aluarua Borealis, Thom Sturgill, Justin Perleoni, Elizabeth Fortier, Jagger Carter, FutureFear, AI, Aaron Hardy, GillaBreed42, Leah Stoker, Shayba Muhammad, Micheal Shepard, Jyri Körmöläinen, Christopher Boggs, Robert, Alwaleed Althani, sonja, Stephen Vyskocil, Luc Sr, Gina Boyd, Nathaniel Toups, Pam Floyd, Dent, Arthur Dent, Judie Stanley, Corey Therrien, Jay Lo, Bret, Matthias Beckmann, Girlgeek101, Alek Pyers, Wingo, Ricky G, Austin, Ian Simonson, Jennifer A Ford, Mark Shaefer, Stephen Karlson, Tyler Evans, Gabriel Najul, Evan F, Jeff Soner, Stiven Miranda, Joey Ostos, Lian, Deontae R, Brian Isaman, Chris Kempel, Mike Burns, Alicia Mendez, Dan Dial, Trey Hopkins, Nater Tater, Nata, Lynn Wladen, Allison T, Daniel Hall, Mick JB, Dick Cox, Yonatan Broder, Clayton Smith, DBP19, Justin Cooke, Braulio A Rivera, TurboShark, Tmac, Cory Hack, Nick Haner, Stephy B, Sophie, Will Atwood, Julie Bradley, Greg, Davey Qasem, Jeff, Malerie Corniea, Micki Thomas, and Will P. for supporting us this week. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Kim Arcand 03:41 - Invisible Data 07:07 - Sound & Radio Waves 08:55 - CHANDRA’s High Energy Universe 14:22 - Pulsars 16:46 - Eta Carinae & Our Local Galactic Neighborhood 20:00 - Understanding Black Holes & Supernova 24:20 - Why Will Space Freak Us Out 30:02 - Maximizing Detection of Photons 35:18 - Assigning Color Pallets 42:41 - What Do Black Holes Sound Like? 46:16 - What Would You Sonify? 48:52 - Visualizing Supernova Data 50:54 - VR for Deep Space Training 53:50 - Black Hole Feedback & Galaxy Growth 01:02:11 - Closing Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson