What Does The Solar System Sound Like?

“In space, no one can hear you scream.” This chilling tagline from the 1979 sci-fi masterpiece Alien is more than just a marketing hook; it’s an undeniable truth.

Outer space is a vast expanse of near-vacuum, devoid of the medium required for sound waves to travel.

Without air, water, or solid matter to carry vibrations, the universe operates in eerie silence.

Yet, not all of space is silent. In certain corners of the cosmos—on planets, moons, and even comets—there are environments that can carry sound.

These places offer fascinating opportunities for exploration, and scientists are just beginning to uncover their unique soundscapes.

One of the most exciting developments in this field is NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, which carried a microphone to record the true sound of the Red Planet.

While Mars may be quiet compared to Earth, its sparse atmosphere and dynamic weather systems promise unique auditory insights.

But this isn’t humanity’s first attempt to listen to another world.

Let’s dive into how sound has been recorded in space, where it might be found, and what it can teach us about the universe.

Breaking the Silence: Can We Really Hear Space?

The belief that space is completely silent is a simplification.

While the vacuum of interstellar space cannot support sound waves, certain environments—like the dense atmospheres of planets or the icy oceans of moons—offer the right conditions for sound to propagate.

Take Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, as an example. When the European Space Agency’s Huygens probe descended through Titan’s dense nitrogen-rich atmosphere in 2005, it captured the sound of winds buffeting its hull.

These sounds weren’t just atmospheric noise; they revealed valuable data about Titan’s atmospheric pressure and wind patterns.

Similarly, comets provide another surprising example. The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission recorded electromagnetic vibrations from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

By converting these into audio, scientists discovered a haunting, oscillating “song” emitted as the comet approached the Sun.

Though these recordings are often manipulated or converted for human ears, they open a door to understanding environments far removed from Earth.

Challenging Preconceptions About Sound in Space

When most people think of space exploration, their minds gravitate toward images—Hubble’s breathtaking pictures of distant galaxies or the dusty landscapes of Mars.

Few consider what space sounds like.

Contrary to popular belief, listening to space isn’t just about novelty. It’s a powerful scientific tool.

For instance, sound can reveal minute details about an environment’s composition and behavior.

On Titan, sound waves helped map atmospheric pressure changes, enabling scientists to create a climate model.

On Mars, a microphone could detect the whisper of wind, the hiss of shifting sands, or even the distant rumble of a dust storm.

Perhaps most compelling is the potential for practical problem-solving. Imagine a Mars rover equipped with a microphone.

If gears grind or wheels snag on rocky terrain, engineers could diagnose mechanical issues remotely through sound, preventing costly damage.

This perspective shift is crucial: sound isn’t just an artistic curiosity. It’s a practical, data-rich dimension of planetary exploration.

The Sounds We’ve Captured So Far

Despite setbacks, humanity has already collected a small but intriguing library of extraterrestrial sounds.

Titan’s Winds
The Huygens probe recorded the rush of winds during its descent to Titan’s icy surface. The buffeting vibrations painted a vivid picture of the moon’s weather, helping scientists understand its atmospheric dynamics.
Comet 67P’s “Song”
As comet 67P neared the Sun, it emitted oscillating electromagnetic waves. By converting these into audible frequencies, researchers uncovered a ghostly tune—a reminder that even lifeless objects can produce a kind of music.
Jupiter’s Magnetic Symphony
NASA’s Juno spacecraft captured the electromagnetic sounds of Jupiter’s immense magnetic field. These eerie recordings, while not directly audible, were transformed into haunting soundscapes that reflect the planet’s raw energy.
Mars’ Vibrations
Although prior Mars missions didn’t include a functioning microphone, vibrations from the Opportunity rover were converted into audio. These sounds, albeit indirect, offered a glimpse into the Martian surface’s texture.

What Mars Might Sound Like

Mars presents a unique auditory environment. With its thin carbon dioxide atmosphere, sound waves behave differently than on Earth.

Higher-pitched sounds would travel less effectively, while lower frequencies might dominate the Martian soundscape.

Imagine standing on the dusty plains of Mars:

The wind whistling across the barren landscape might carry an otherworldly resonance due to the atmospheric density.
A dust storm could roar in the distance, its intensity muffled by the thin air.
The occasional crackle of static might accompany lightning during rare electric storms.

Even the quiet moments hold fascination. As the wind settles, the faint sound of dust grains shifting or the distant creak of expanding rocks might punctuate the silence.

Listening Like Never Before

NASA’s Mars 2020 mission took sound recording to the next level by equipping the Perseverance rover with a microphone.

Unlike previous attempts, this device wasn’t just for atmospheric studies.

It’s integrated with a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS), which uses lasers to vaporize rock samples and analyze their composition.

Here’s how it works:

The microphone captures the sound of the laser interacting with rocks. The pitch and intensity of the resulting “zap” reveal details about the material’s density and makeup.
These sounds are transmitted back to Earth, allowing researchers to “hear” the chemistry of Martian rocks in real-time.

This dual-purpose design highlights the ingenuity of modern space exploration—using sound not only to explore but to unlock the secrets of another world.