A team co-led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía has created ViewCube, an innovative tool that not only allows for the visualization of astronomical data but also enables its auditory experience
This breakthrough adds a new sensory dimension to the analysis of complex data while promoting inclusion and accessibility, facilitating the active participation of people with visual impairments in the study of galaxies
Historically, understanding the cosmos has depended on interpreting complex data and images—useful tools that, however, have certain limitations in capturing the full richness of the information the universe offers. In this context, a recent study published in the journal Royal Astronomical Society Techniques and Instruments (RASTI) introduces, for the first time, an innovative technique for interactively exploring galaxies: data sonification. Using a tool called ViewCube, it is possible not only to visualize complex astronomical data cubes but also to transform them into sound, adding an entirely new dimension to their analysis and understanding.
“ViewCube, through the Sonicube module, enhances the way we analyze information by adding a new sensory layer that can facilitate the analysis of complex data,” says Rubén García-Benito, researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC), developer of the application, and second author of the study. “The breakthrough of representing data through sound could aid in how we study galaxies, incorporating new technologies that enrich our understanding of astronomical data,” adds Adrián García Riber (UPM), first author of the article.
This innovative approach is notable not only for its scientific contribution but also for promoting inclusion and accessibility in science. By translating data into sound, it opens a new avenue for more people, including those with visual impairments, to participate and contribute to the study of the universe, democratizing access to astronomical knowledge.
The way the auditory system perceives, processes, and organizes sound stimuli gives the human ear a unique ability to discriminate and interpret complex information, especially when it comes to identifying subtle changes in patterns or details over time. This ability opens up new possibilities for exploring data in scientific disciplines where visual perception faces certain limitations.
Based on this premise, the work co-led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC) presents an innovative way to explore astronomical data cubes—three-dimensional structures containing complex information—in which each pixel of an image is associated with a spectrum that contains information about the decomposition of light into different colors or wavelengths. This technique allows for detailed analysis of the structure and physical properties of celestial objects such as galaxies. The analysis is based on integral field spectroscopy or 3D spectroscopy, an advanced method that combines spatial and spectral information to reveal details about the movement and physical composition of galaxies.
Now, the interactive tool developed by IAA-CSIC, ViewCube, introduces a significant innovation by incorporating data sonification. This technology allows the astronomical community not only to visualize data on the screen but also to hear how the properties of light vary across different regions of a galaxy. This breakthrough transcends traditional data analysis methods, opening the door to multidisciplinary approaches that enrich how humans interact with information and deepen their understanding of astronomical data.
ViewCube/SoniCube is an interactive tool that analyses 3D spectroscopy cubes visually and sonically. The image shows the data cube of the spiral galaxy NGC 2916, generated with integral field spectroscopy. Each point in the image contains spectral information that can be interactively visualised and listened to by sonification. Credits: Rubén García-Benito
“This approach not only makes something as distant and abstract as galaxies more accessible but also enables us to analyze more layers of information simultaneously by combining traditional visualization with sound,” points out IAA-CSIC researcher Rubén García-Benito.
TECHNOLOGY FOR A MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SCIENCE
One of the most relevant implications of this work is its potential to make science more accessible and inclusive by offering alternatives that allow people with different sensory abilities to actively participate and interact with astronomical data effectively.
“This is a unique opportunity for people with visual impairments to fully engage in astrophysical research,” says García-Benito (IAA-CSIC). “This breakthrough demonstrates how the integration of new technologies into science can promote inclusion, transform our relationship with knowledge, and make research more accessible to everyone.”
App demostration. Credit: Adrián García-Riber y Francisco Serradilla (UPM) y Rubén García-Benito (IAA-CSIC)
SCIENCE AND CITIZENSHIP AT THE EAR OF THE UNIVERSE
Involving the public in the scientific process is key to enriching research projects by offering diverse perspectives, while also fostering a more direct connection with knowledge. In this study, citizen participation was fundamental, as it includes a user study combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches through an online questionnaire aimed at both specialized participants and people with no prior experience in the field.
In this analysis, based on data cubes of galaxies from a project called Calar Alto Integral Field Spectroscopy (CALIFA), nearly 63% of participants had the opportunity to personally try out the ViewCube tool before completing the survey. The results revealed that all participants were able to extract information from the sound of the galaxies, highlighting the potential of this innovative tool in democratizing access and understanding complex data.
ViewCube/SoniCube is an interactive tool created to analyse 3D spectroscopy cubes using visualisation and sound. In the image, the spiral galaxy NGC 5732 is depicted: on the left, a window provides a 2D projection of the data cube; on the upper right, the spectrum associated with the point marked with the cursor is presented, and on the lower right, its sonification. This integration of techniques allows an innovative, intuitive and accessible interpretation of the data. Credits: Adrián García-Riber (UPM)
Sonification is here to stay, as it is not limited only to astronomy; this technique can be applied to any type of data and everyday fields, further extending its potential. “This technique is being applied to many disciplines, including astronomy, but these are just the first steps. Our goal is to continue developing tools to explore, through sound, other fields within astrophysics,” concludes Rubén García-Benito (IAA-CSIC).