Exploring blazars through sonification. Visual and auditory insights into multifrequency variability

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how combining visualisation and sonification of multifrequency data from blazars can reveal patterns and variability, enhancing analysis and accessibility in astronomical research.

Contribution

It introduces a multimodal approach using MIDI and PMSon techniques to analyze blazar variability through visual and auditory data representations.

Findings

Sonification reveals patterns not easily seen visually.

Multimodal analysis improves understanding of blazar variability.

Accessible methods promote inclusive scientific communication.

Abstract

Using open astronomical multifrequency databases, we constructed light curves and developed a comprehensive visualisation and sonification analysis for the blazars Mrk~501, Mrk~1501, Mrk~421, BL~Lacerta, AO~0235+164, 3C~66A, OJ~049, OJ~287, and PKS~J2134-0153. This study employed Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and Parameter Mapping Sonification (PMSon) techniques to generate waveforms, spectrograms, and sonifications. These representations demonstrate that data visualisation and sonification are powerful tools for analysing astronomical objects like blazars, providing insights into their multifrequency variability. This work highlights how sonification and visualisation can aid in identifying potential patterns, power variations, regularities, and gaps in the data. This multimodal approach also underscores the importance of inclusivity in scientific communication, offering accessible methods for exploring the complex behaviour of blazars.