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

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.

Figures (9)

• Figure 1: From top to bottom, left to right, the Figure shows panels of optical, X-ray and $\gamma$-rays light curves, waveforms of the sonification as a function of time, and spectrograms of the blazar Mrk 501. The sonification is available at https://www.guijongustavo.org/datasonification/mrk501/playlist.html
• Figure 2: From top to bottom, left to right,the Figure shows panels of optical, X-ray and $\gamma$-rays light curves, waveforms of the sonification as a function of time, and spectrograms of the blazar Mrk 1501. The sonification is available in https://www.guijongustavo.org/datasonification/mrk1501/playlist.html
• Figure 3: From left to right, top to bottom, the Figure shows panels of radio, optical, X-ray and $\gamma$-rays light curves, waveforms of the sonification as a function of time, and spectrograms of the blazar BL Lacerta. The sonification is available in https://www.guijongustavo.org/datasonification/bllacertae/playlist.html
• Figure 4: From top to bottom, left to right, the Figure shows panels of optical, X-ray and $\gamma$-rays light curves, waveforms of the sonification as a function of time, and spectrograms of the blazar AO 0235+164. The sonification is available in https://www.guijongustavo.org/datasonification/ao0335/playlist.html
• Figure 5: From left to right, top to bottom, the Figure shows panels of radio, optical, X-ray and $\gamma$-rays light curves, waveforms of the sonification as a function of time, and spectrograms of the blazar 3C 66A. The sonification is available in https://www.guijongustavo.org/datasonification/3c66a/playlist.html