Chandra Release - November 15, 2023

Visual Description: Data From NASA Telescopes Becomes Music for Humans


Seven musicians of Ensemble Eclat play Where Parallel Lines Converge, a sonic rendering of a composite image of our Milky Way's galactic center. 

The performance takes place front and center on the wooden stage of a symphony hall. Warmly colored stage lighting illuminates the region where the musicians are performing. From left to right, individual musicians are playing piano, violin, cello, percussion, clarinets, percussion, and flute. Members of the ensemble are wearing traditional, black orchestral clothing. The musical piece is being led by a conductor who is also dressed in all black.

At the conclusion of the music, the performers go completely still in their playing positions, giving the overall impression that time has paused and not ended as the screen fades to black.