Computer Science – Sound
Scientific paper
May 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aas...204.8406w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 204, #84.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 36, p.984
Computer Science
Sound
Scientific paper
One of the most impressive developments in modern cosmology has been the measurement and analysis of the tiny fluctuations seen in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. When discussing these fluctuations, cosmologists frequently refer to their acoustic nature -- sound waves moving through the hot gas appear as peaks and troughs when they cross the surface of last scattering. As is now well known, recent observations quantify the amplitudes of these waves over several octaves, revealing a fundamental tone with several harmonics, whose relative strengths and pitches reveal important cosmological parameters, including global curvature. Not surprisingly, these results have wonderful pedagogical value in educating and inspiring both students and the general public. To further enhance this educational experience, I have attempted what might seem rather obvious, namely converting the CMB power spectrum into an audible sound. By raising the pitch some 50 octaves so that the fundamental falls at 200 Hz (matching its harmonic ``l" value), we hear the resulting sound as a loud hissing roar.
Matching the progress in observational results has been an equally impressive development of the theoretical treatment of CMB fluctuations. Using available computer simulations (e.g. CMBFAST) it is possible to recreate the subtley different sounds generated by different kinds of universe (e.g. different curvature or baryon content). Pushing further, one can generate the ``true" sound, characterized by P(k), rather than the ``observed" sound, characterized by C(l). From P(k), we learn that the fundamental and harmonics are offset, yielding a chord somewhere between a major and minor third. A sequence of models also allows one to follow the growth of sound during the first megayear: a descending scream, changing into a deepening roar, with subsequent growing hiss; matching the increase in wavelength caused by universal expansion, followed by the post recombination flow of gas into the small scale potential wells created by dark matter. This final sound, of course, sets the stage for all subsequent growth of cosmic structure, from stars (hiss), through galaxies (mid-range tones), to large scale structure (bass notes).
Although popular presentations of CMB studies already make use of many visual and conceptual aids, introducing sound into the pedagogical mix can significantly enhance both the intellectual and the emotional impact of the subject on its audience.
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