LISTEN UP!

On our 'Sounds from space' page you can hear a selection of different phenomena, some Earth-based and some from the depths of outer space.

But how can there be sounds in space, when there is no air for the sound to travel in? Well, that is right, you cannot hear sounds in space. What we call 'sound' is actually vibrations in air, water or any medium for the vibrations to travel in. In empty space, there is no air, so sound cannot propagate.

However, there are radio waves in space and these are electromagnetic waves, like 'light'. These do not need a medium to travel in, and you don't hear them; you see them, or hear them as interpreted by your receiving equipment, such as a radio, and translated into sound waves by the speakers.

The phenomena listed here, such as 'whistlers' and meteors, create radio signals which we can 'hear' via our receiving equipment, whether sensitive satellite instruments or interference on telephone lines. Others, like the sound of the vibration test equipment for ESA's spacecraft, are 'real' sounds produced on Earth!

Keep checking our Downloads page for more fantastic sound files and also our Downloads page for images, screensavers and models of current and future ESA Science spacecraft!