Introducing Fast's Pulsar Discovery With Data Sonification In A Dome Theater
TalkEducation Focus Session: Teaching with Authentic Data
7th Shaw-IAU Workshop
Tuesday Nov. 18, 2025
UTC: 6:10 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. America/New_York: 1:10 p.m.- 1:20 p.m.
Wednesday Nov. 19, 2025
UTC: 8:40 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. America/New_York: 3:40 a.m.- 3:50 a.m.
Song Nan (China Science and Technology Museum)
As of November 2024, the five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has discovered over 1000 pulsars. Using data sonification, we convert the pulsar scientific data collected by FAST into audible sounds, which were then extended into musical compositions using SUNO AI. These sounds, combined with visuals generated by Digistar, were used to create an immersive fulldome short film and astronomy courses for the China Science and Technology Museum's dome theater. The unique immersive audio-visual experience enhances public understanding of cutting-edge scientific discoveries. This talk will cover the sonification process of FAST's pulsar data, the design of the dome film scripts and astronomy courses, their implementation in the dome theater, and audience feedback.
About Song Nan
Song Nan is an assistant researcher of astronomy education research at China Science and Technology Museum. He previously completed his masters and PhD at National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests include theoretical research and practical application of astronomy education activities in special effects cinema.
