Sonification of Spacecraft Data from the Heliophysics Systems Observatory

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A research consortium is offering the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) for talented scientists to work on Heliophysics projects. This unique opportunity involves engaging with significant NASA research and utilizing innovative data sonification techniques to study energy transfer from the Sun to Earth. Candidates must possess a doctoral degree and can apply if they meet eligibility criteria. The role emphasizes both scientific research and outreach to broaden audience understanding of Heliophysics data.

Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field.
• Ability to engage with ongoing NASA research projects.
• Familiarity with data sonification and signal processing methods.

Responsibilities

• Engage in projects related to Heliophysics and energy transfer.
• Utilize novel data inspection techniques.
• Contribute to accessibility and outreach initiatives.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

One of the key scientific objectives of NASA's Heliophysics division is to understand the fundamental physical processes that govern the nature of energy transfer from the Sun to the Earth. The increasingly large amount of spacecraft data now available from any Heliophysics Systems Observatory (HSO) mission, such as Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, WIND, MMS, CLUSTER, and THEMIS, highlights a need to inspect data in novel ways. Spacecraft data sonification is a method of mapping data to sound, as an auditory equivalent to data visualization. The range of human hearing spans 12 orders of magnitude greater in frequency than human vision spans in wavelength. The enhanced nonlinearity of human hearing also enables increased perception of pitch and other dynamic waveform changes that could not be visually identified. Modern signal processing methods and software from audio engineering traditionally applied to music can also be applied to spacecraft time series data. To assess the fundamental process governing our universe, it is useful to characterize the similarities and differences of sounds in each heliospheric regime. What can we learn from “hearing” the nature of energy transfer from the Sun to Earth? In addition to scientific advantages, data sonification is a highly effective mechanism for accessibility and outreach. How can we best share data from the HSO to a wider audience so that the nature of energy transfer can be perceived by all?

Field of Science

Heliophysics

Advisors

Jaye Verniero – [e-mail]

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]