Japanese satellite KAGUYA spent twenty months between 2007 and 2009 orbiting the Moon, obtaining data regarding its topography as well as its geological evolution.
One of the sensors used to gather this information had the capability to interpret the data into sound, and that sparked the creation of Moonbell- a MIDI player that generates sound based upon the topography of the Moon.
There are two different ways to extract sounds from Moonbell – the “Orbit Play” mode, where the sound follows the layout of the moon via the satellite’s orbital path, or the “Free Scratch” mode, where you can create your own sounds by drawing lines anywhere across the moon’s surface.
There are countless options for changing instruments, notes, and the quality of sound- but in terms of melody and listenability, Moonbell tends to err on the dissonant side.
[via Pink Tentacle]
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OK, this is exactly why the internet was invented!! RAD
August 31st, 2009 at 11:32 pm