Relics of the First Sound Waves in the Cosmos Through Soundsculptures

Edi Bon ; Ivan Bon

Zbornik radova, Tome 21 (2024) no. 29, p. 41

Résumé

Scientific concepts, especially in cosmology, can be complex and difficult to grasp for many. Art can serve as a bridge to help people understand these complex ideas. In our project, we introduce sound sculptures inspired by horn telescopes previously utilized to explore the early universe. These sculptures function as miniature radio telescopes, enabling audience to audibly experience the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). This radiation, originating approximately 380,000 years after the Big Bang and now are the oldest radiation that we can detect, aged at about 13.7 billion years. A Nober Prize was awarded for its discovery. During this early period, the universe was filled with a primordial baryon-photon plasma, through which the first acoustic waves in the universe resonated, leaving behind density fluctuations embedded in the CMBR, now known as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). These shapes can be detected not only in the CMBR but also in the large-scale structure of the observable universe. These echoes of the first sound waves have proven that the expansion rate of the universe is accelerating, earning yet another Nobel Prize. These cosmic sound waves are of incredible importance for many aspects of cosmology. Therefore, simply being aware of their existence is profound, even though such concepts are very hard to understand. By employing sound as the medium of expression, we draw a parallel to the primordial plasma of the early universe, where the first acoustic waves originated. These sculptures encapsulate the core principles of cosmology, offering a unique avenue for understanding through sensory and interactive exploration. Simply making the audience aware of these ancient cosmic waves and CMBR is incredibly important, and these sculptures help us achieve that.

Détail

DOI : 10.18485/mi_sanu_zr.2024.29.21.ch3

Classification : 85A40, 00A66, 97M80
Keywords: sound sculptures, early universe, Big Beng, cosmic microwave background radiation, CMBR, barion acoustic oscilations, BAO, resonators