Harvard University researchers have unveiled LightSound, a novel device enabling blind and visually impaired individuals to experience solar eclipses through sound. This handheld technology converts sunlight intensity into musical tones, making the celestial event accessible to all. Aimed at broadening eclipse participation, the team plans to distribute over 750 devices for free at eclipse events.
Blind astronomer Wanda Díaz-Merced, part of the LightSound team, emphasizes that celestial wonders belong to everyone, including the blind. The device, by translating solar data into audio, allows users to ‘hear’ the eclipse, enhancing their sensory experience of the astronomical phenomenon.
The device’s sounds change with sunlight intensity: flute tones for bright light, clarinet notes for dimmer conditions, and soft clicks during totality. Originally developed for the 2017 total solar eclipse, LightSound has been refined over the years, with units distributed across the Americas for subsequent eclipses.
As the next total solar eclipse approaches, the LightSound team continues to foster inclusivity in astronomy, allowing more people to engage with the cosmos in unique ways.
So…:
How can you accommodate people with disabilities and create experiences for them?
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