Astronomer Wanda Diaz-Merced can’t see the stars but she can hear them.
She also needs your ears to help her research.
Dr Diaz-Merced is measuring gravitational waves in space though the medium of audio.
She has been able to detect patterns in audio that were potentially obscured in visual and graphical representations.
“The gravitational waves signal was easier to find it in the auditory realm than in the visual realm,” she told Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1.
“When you scan the sky with it, the variety of sounds that you hear are unbelievable,” she said.
“It's like someone talking to you.
“It’s incredible how we didn't tune our other senses to the wonders of the sky.”
Photo: Wanda during her 2016 TED talk.
She is one of only a few audio astrophysicists around the world, and is currently conducting ground-breaking research at the University of Pisa.
She hopes to utilise people from all walks of life to help her sift through mountains of audio material to find patterns.
“We have developed a number of trainings prepared for people that are totally blind and also for low vision people in which as they listen, they listen to the data and they identify if they hear a signature or not,” she said.
“I want the listeners to lead the development of this project.”
Listen to the full interview on Studio 1 in the player below:
For those interested in participating in Dr Diaz-Merced’s research, they can fill out this online form.
Studio 1 is Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
To get in touch with the show. Call or text: 0450 078 834 or email [email protected].