richard vijgen’s cosmic wind chime visualizes and sonifies solar winds in a dynamic dance

an electromagnetic performance in tune with solar waves

Richard Vijgen’s Cosmic Wind Chime is an instrument that translates real time space weather into a dynamic electromagnetic performance. This instrument resides within the gravitational equilibrium of our planet and the sun, actively measuring the energetic bursts expelled from the surface of our star, heading towards us.  Functioning as an intermediary between celestial data and human perception, the Cosmic Wind Chime translates data measurements gathered by DSCOVER Deep Space Climate Observatory into a magnetic field.

This, in turn, sets in motion an orchestrated performance from a series of metal tubes, creating an acoustic rendition reflective of the solar winds’ dynamic symphony. By visualizing and sonifying fluctuations on a scale from seconds to hours and months the work proposes a new perspective on our collective cosmic condition, the impact of our sun and its magnetic storms on our technology and a sense of connectedness on our planet.

Richard Vijgen visualizes and sonifies cosmic data

The DSCOVR Deep Space Climate Observatory is a spacecraft that measures solar wind and provides a 15-to-60-minute advanced warning before a storm of particles and magnetic field reaches earth. Its data measurements serve as the foundation for Richard Vijgen’s Cosmic Wind Chime’s real-time interpretive function. While solar winds can be perceived as polar lights at high latitudes, they can have global consequences. As the streams of charged particles hit electronic equipment, they can disrupt communication and navigation systems and even cause power blackouts. The frequency and intensity of solar winds follow the sun cycle that rotates the sun’s magnetic field every 11 years. As we are enter a period of increased solar activity in the next few years, space weather may become of increased significance to all.

As the spacecraft measures an increase in solar activity, the temperature, particle density and direction are transmitted to earth and translated by the chime into a dynamic magnetic field. While the tubes are pushed and pulled by the surrounding magnets, their swings accelerate and come into contact as the data is translated into an acoustic performance while a ring of digits displays the raw sensor data. As the solar winds reach earth and with a delay of about 10 minutes between the measurement on board of the spacecraft and the activation of the chime, the chime performs the signal between 5 and 50 minutes before it reaches earth.

project info:

name: Cosmic Wind Chime
artist: Richard Vijgen
technical info: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US) datafeed, python, nodejs, Raspberry Pi, custom electronics, electromagnets, neodymium magnets, brass tubes

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.