NASA's Chandra Releases Sonifications of Planetary Parade

New audio experiences bring the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus to life

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has released new sonifications that allow people to 'hear' three planets - Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus - as part of a special 'planetary parade' visible in the night sky in late February. The sonifications translate astronomical data into sound, providing a unique way to experience these worlds.

Why it matters

Chandra's sonifications expand the ways people can explore and understand the solar system, complementing traditional visual observations. By turning data into sound, the sonifications make the physics of these planets accessible to a wider audience, including those with visual impairments.

The details

The sonifications combine X-ray data from Chandra with infrared, optical, and other imagery to create an immersive audio experience. For Jupiter, the woodwind sounds represent the X-ray data, while other instruments convey the planet's complex cloud layers. Saturn's sonification features a siren-like sound following the arc of the rings, with synthesizers playing as the scan passes the planet itself. Uranus is represented by a cello tracing the ice giant's faint ring, with higher frequencies denoting reflected X-rays.

  • In late February 2026, six planets will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere's night sky.
  • The Chandra sonifications were released on [day of week].

The players

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

A space telescope operated by NASA that specializes in observing the universe in X-ray wavelengths, providing unique insights into extreme cosmic objects and phenomena.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope

A large, space-based optical telescope that has revolutionized astronomy by providing detailed visible-light images of astronomical objects.

NASA's Cassini mission

A space probe that orbited Saturn for over 13 years, providing unprecedented images and data about the ringed planet and its moons.

W.M. Keck Observatory

A pair of 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes located atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, known for their pioneering observations of the solar system and beyond.

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What’s next

The Chandra team plans to continue releasing new sonifications to help the public experience the wonders of the solar system and the universe in innovative ways.

The takeaway

Chandra's sonifications demonstrate how NASA is making its scientific discoveries more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience, blending cutting-edge technology with the human senses to foster a deeper understanding of our cosmic neighborhood.