Tour of the Solar System
Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System is a planetarium show, but unlike traditional shows the soundtrack takes the lead role.
All of the objects in space are represented with rich sounds as well as with incredible visuals. The audience can listen to the stars appear and hear the planets orbit around their heads. Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System is an immersive experience that can be enjoyed irrespective of level of vision.
The full flat-screen show is available below. Headphones are highly recommended for the full experience.
A link to the full-dome version for planetariums is also provided below (versions in English, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese).
The show is also available in multiple languages. You can find the YouTube version in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and German. All these languages (with the addition of English and German) can be downloaded for use in planetariums (full dome, surround sound) as well as flat screen (stereo sound) at the follow links:
More about the show
Behind the Scenes
Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System was made through the collaboration of astronomers, a composer, and members of the BVI community in an effort to create a show that - while grounded in real data - is educational, accessible, and enjoyable.
Data into Sound
Throughout the show, there are many instances of turning data into sound. These include the sonifications of stars appearing in the night sky and of Earth rotating on its axis. We use our computer codes to turn data into sound - a process called 'sonification'.
Caribbean Version of the Show
We have teamed up with the University of West Indies and a blind musician from Trinidad to have a reimagining of our original Tour of the Solar System, but replacing the initial Western-European musical choices and instruments, with those more in tune with Caribbean culture, and also using a local voice actor. This results in a new show that is more inclusive and relatable for Caribbean audiences.
On audience member said: “To see science, sound, music and inclusivity come together in a project that speaks to us in the Caribbean was such a unique and uplifting experience. I look forward to all the avenues yet to be explored using this process."
Audio Universe on the BBC
Team members Nic Bonne and James Trayford discuss on the BBC the motivation for the show and the wider motivation for applying
