Event 2: We Are All Made of Star Dust

I attended the event, “We are all made of star dust,” by Santiago Torres, which began with a fantastic introduction of the creation of the universe. Dr. Torres combined the fundamentals of astrophysics with artistic interpretations, offering a unique perspective on how we perceive different elements in the universe.

The History of the Universe

The lecture started by addressing a common misconception: many people think the universe is empty. In reality, it is densely packed and highly interactive. As we zoom in from galaxies to stars, and then to individual atoms, we come to a profound realization; we are all made up of star dust, sharing the same building blocks as stars and galaxies. 

The Cosmic Web -- Clusters of Universes

Next, we learned about different types of waves, explaining how they are fundamental to our understanding of the universe. There are two main types, mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Mechanical waves, like sound, need a medium to propagate, similar to a human wave in a stadium, where the energy is passed from person to person. In space, celestial bodies use mechanical waves to communicate, and we can listen to these waves to gather information about the universe (Unicminds). Electromagnetic waves, such as light, do not need a medium to travel and are visible on a spectrum, which is how we perceive colors (Revision World). Light allows us to see into the past; for example the light we see from the sun takes about 8 minutes to reach us! By analyzing light from distant stars and galaxies, scientists can determine their composition and behavior.

Different Types of Waves

One of the most intriguing parts of Torres’ lecture was the intersection between art and science through music. He discussed how DJs have started to use ALMA sounds, the sounds of space, in their music. The ALMA telescope has 66 antennas to capture high-frequency radio waves, and transforms these cosmic signals into audible sounds (Bienaime). This innovative use of space data not only bridges the gap between art and science but also offers a new way to experience the universe. ALMA Sounds provides hundreds of unique audio samples that DJs can incorporate into their music, highlighting how scientific data can inspire artistic creation and allow the public to feel a deeper connection to astronomical phenomena.

This event was fascinating and reminded me of how much we still have to learn about space. It inspired me to explore electromagnetic sound waves for my final project, showcasing how music is a blend of both art and science.

Proof of Attendance

Works Cited

Bienaimé, Pierre. “DJs Are Dropping Beats from Deep Space.” Nautilus, 27 July 2016, nautil.us/djs-are-dropping-beats-from-deep-space-236042/.

Unicminds. “Using Waves to Communicate.” UnicMinds, 16 Mar. 2024, unicminds.com/using-waves-to-communicate/.

Vesna, Victoria. "Two Cultures and Moving Towards a Third Culture." UCOnline, YouTube, 2012, https://youtu.be/VNI7dF3DIAM?si=ixHQYf-vnq_lkz7Y. 

“Wave Communication.” Revision World, revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/physics/electromagnetic-radiation/wave-communication

**All images were taken from the lecture and provided by Santiago Torres.