NASA shares musical reinterpretation of a deep space nebula

Sound inside a vacuum. Science tells us that this is theoretically impossible. However, it will never dim the “what if?” behind natural human curiosity as the intrigue of deep space always seems to bring a burning level of inner-questioning.

If you were to hear what a nebula in the deepest darkest space sounds like, NASA would have a good idea of what you may experience, right?

NGC 6302 (AKA the Butterfly Nebula) is a bipolar planetary nebula in the constellation Scorpius. The structure in the nebula is among the most complex ever observed in planetary nebulae. Its spectrum shows that its central star is one of the hottest stars known, with a surface temperature exceeding 250,000 degrees Celsius, implying the star that formed it must have been humongous.

Using data sonification, the famous space agency have shared a humanly-digestible interpretation of the NGC 6302 as it “soars across space at more than 600,000 mph (966,000 kph).”

Explaining how the process relates in an understandable form, NASA says: “While panning left to right, each wavelength of light has been paired with a different family of instruments to create a symphony of soothing sounds.”

Check out the astonishing Instagram post below: 

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