NASA unveils haunting sounds from a supermassive Black hole
In a groundbreaking revelation, NASA has released an eerie audio clip that captures sound waves emanating from a supermassive black hole located 250 million light-years away in the Perseus cluster of galaxies. This audio, released in 2022, represents the first time these cosmic sound waves have been extracted and rendered audible for human ears.
The phenomenon stems from a notable discovery made in 2003, when astronomers detected acoustic waves in the vast gas surrounding the black hole. These waves, although inaudible in space, have been transposed up 57 and 58 octaves, allowing listeners to experience the haunting hum of the universe.
The lowest note detected from this cosmic source is a B-flat, positioned an astonishing 57 octaves below middle C—well beyond human hearing capabilities. NASA’s innovative sonification process amplified these sound waves, enabling a unique auditory experience that reflects their resonance in the depths of intergalactic space.
To enhance the listening experience, the sound waves were played in an anti-clockwise direction from the black hole’s center, producing pitches that reach 144 quadrillion and 288 quadrillion times their original frequency. This intricate manipulation allows us to perceive the cosmic vibrations in a way never before possible.
This discovery underscores the significant role sound vibrations may play in the cosmos. The gas and plasma found in the “intracluster medium”—which is denser and hotter than the surrounding intergalactic medium—can influence star formation and galaxy evolution. This suggests that sound waves may be instrumental in shaping the very structures of our universe.
As we continue to explore the mysteries of the cosmos, NASA’s findings remind us that even in the vast emptiness of space, there exists a symphony waiting to be heard.
