TED2016
Wanda Diaz Merced: How a blind astronomer found a way to hear the stars
汪達·迪亞茲·默塞德: 盲眼天文學家如何找到聽見星星的方法
Filmed:
Readability: 4.7
922,006 views
汪達·迪亞茲·默塞德研究宇宙中能量最強的事件「伽瑪射線暴」所發出的光。她失明後原無法再研究科學。但她有個啟示性的見解：數字既可轉成明眼人看的曲線圖，也可轉成盲人聽的聲音。通過「音波處理」，她再度掌握自己的研究工作。現在她鼓吹科學界應更為包容。她說：「科學屬於每個人。必須讓每個人都能接觸科學，因為我們天生是探險家。」
Wanda Diaz Merced - Sonic astrophysicist
While searching for ways to study stellar radiation without relying on sight, Wanda Diaz Merced has developed a way to represent complex data about our universe as sound. Full bio
While searching for ways to study stellar radiation without relying on sight, Wanda Diaz Merced has developed a way to represent complex data about our universe as sound. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
Once there was a star.
0
1163
2266
從前，有顆星星。
00:16
Like everything else, she was born;
1
4082
2722
和其他的事物一樣，她誕生了;
00:18
grew to be around 30 times
the mass of our sun
the mass of our sun
2
6828
3781
長到體積約為太陽的三十倍，
00:22
and lived for a very long time.
3
10633
2293
並且存活了很長一段時間。
00:25
Exactly how long,
4
13475
1368
究竟有多長，
00:26
people cannot really tell.
5
14867
1739
沒有人能確切地講。
00:29
Just like everything in life,
6
17162
1779
就像生活中的每一樣東西，
00:30
she reached the end
of her regular star days
of her regular star days
7
18965
3449
她走到了生命的盡頭，
00:34
when her heart, the core of her life,
8
22438
2577
她的心臟，生命的核心，
00:37
exhausted its fuel.
9
25039
1466
耗盡了燃料。
00:38
But that was no end.
10
26905
1307
但，這不是終點。
00:40
She transformed into a supernova,
and in the process
and in the process
11
28236
3526
她變成了「超新星」，並在此過程中，
釋放出巨大的能量，
00:43
releasing a tremendous amount of energy,
12
31786
2654
00:46
outshining the rest of the galaxy
13
34464
2708
她的光芒掩蓋了銀河其他的一切，
00:49
and emitting, in one second,
14
37196
2334
她在一秒鐘內所射出的能量，
00:51
the same amount of energy
our sun will release in 10 days.
our sun will release in 10 days.
15
39554
4073
相當於我們的太陽在十天內釋放的能量。
00:55
And she evolved
into another role in our galaxy.
into another role in our galaxy.
16
43651
3271
她進化為銀河系的另一角色。
00:59
Supernova explosions are very extreme.
17
47783
2474
超新星的爆炸非常的激烈極端
01:02
But the ones that emit gamma rays
are even more extreme.
are even more extreme.
18
50638
4220
那些射出伽瑪射線更是極端。
01:07
In the process of becoming a supernova,
19
55417
2289
在成為超新星的過程中，
01:09
the interior of the star collapses
under its own weight
under its own weight
20
57730
3423
恆星的內部因自身的重量而坍塌，
01:13
and it starts rotating ever faster,
21
61177
2888
並且越轉越快，
01:16
like an ice skater when pulling
their arms in close to their body.
their arms in close to their body.
22
64089
3865
就像溜冰者把手臂拉近身體那樣。
01:20
In that way, it starts rotating very fast
and it increases, powerfully,
and it increases, powerfully,
23
68592
4458
這樣，飛快的轉速有力的增加了
磁場的力道。
01:25
its magnetic field.
24
73074
1560
01:27
The matter around the star
is dragged around,
is dragged around,
25
75011
3089
這顆星牽引著圍繞著她的物質，
01:30
and some energy from that rotation
is transferred to that matter
is transferred to that matter
26
78124
3318
把一些旋轉動能轉移至該物質，
01:33
and the magnetic field
is increased even further.
is increased even further.
27
81466
3408
更進一步擴大了磁場。
01:37
In that way, our star had extra energy
to outshine the rest of the galaxy
to outshine the rest of the galaxy
28
85477
5762
如此一來，這顆星有了額外的能量，
使她比銀河的其他星星
使她比銀河的其他星星
更亮並射出更多的伽瑪射線。
01:43
in brightness and gamma ray emission.
29
91263
2303
01:46
My star, the one in my story,
30
94119
2489
我故事裡的這顆星
01:48
became what is known as a magnetar.
31
96632
2648
成為所謂的「磁星」。
01:51
And just for your information,
32
99304
1681
提供資料讓你參考，
01:53
the magnetic field of a magnetar
is 1,000 trillion times
is 1,000 trillion times
33
101009
3881
磁星的磁場是地球磁場的一千兆倍。
01:56
the magnetic field of Earth.
34
104914
1769
01:59
The most energetic events
ever measured by astronomers
ever measured by astronomers
35
107953
2656
天文學家測量到最具有活力的事件
02:02
carry the name gamma-ray bursts
36
110633
2255
被稱為「伽馬射線暴」，
02:04
because we observe them
as bursts most or explosions,
as bursts most or explosions,
37
112912
3607
因我們觀察到它們的迸裂或爆炸時
02:08
most strongly measured as gamma-ray light.
38
116543
2533
被測量到的伽瑪射線最強。
02:11
Our star, like the one in our story
that became a magnetar,
that became a magnetar,
39
119886
4205
我們故事中成為磁星的那顆星，
02:16
is detected as a gamma-ray burst
40
124115
2071
被偵測到猛力爆炸時的伽瑪射線暴。
02:18
during the most energetic
portion of the explosion.
portion of the explosion.
41
126210
2560
02:22
Yet, even though gamma-ray bursts
are the strongest events
are the strongest events
42
130167
5301
然而，即使天文學家偵測到
最強力道的伽馬射線暴
最強力道的伽馬射線暴
02:27
ever measured by astronomers,
43
135492
2089
02:29
we cannot see them with our naked eye.
44
137605
2637
我們卻無法用肉眼看得見。
02:32
We depend, we rely on other methods
45
140266
2328
我們倚賴其他的方法
02:34
in order to study this gamma-ray light.
46
142618
2789
來研究伽瑪射線。
02:37
We cannot see them with our naked eye.
47
145431
1847
我們無法以肉眼看見伽瑪射線。
02:39
We can only see
an itty bitty, tiny portion
an itty bitty, tiny portion
48
147302
3070
人眼只能看到小片斷
些微的電磁波譜，稱為「可見光」。
02:42
of the electromagnetic spectrum
that we call visible light.
that we call visible light.
49
150396
3726
02:46
And beyond that, we rely on other methods.
50
154146
2272
得依靠其他的方法
來觀察可見光以外的光。
來觀察可見光以外的光。
02:48
Yet as astronomers,
we study a wider range of light
we study a wider range of light
51
156442
5260
身為天文學家，我們研究
比可見光範圍更廣的光，
比可見光範圍更廣的光，
02:53
and we depend on other methods to do that.
52
161726
2764
我們倚賴其他的方法才辦得到。
02:56
On the screen, it may look like this.
53
164514
2576
在螢幕上，看起來像這樣。
02:59
You're seeing a plot.
54
167812
1732
你看到的圖
03:01
That is a light curve.
55
169568
1925
是個光的曲線圖，
03:03
It's a plot of intensity
of light over time.
of light over time.
56
171517
3549
光隨著時間推移所對應的強度圖，
03:07
It is a gamma-ray light curve.
57
175090
2464
伽瑪射線的曲線圖。
03:10
Sighted astronomers
depend on this kind of plot
depend on this kind of plot
58
178013
3692
明眼的天文學家倚賴這類的圖
03:13
in order to interpret how
this light intensity changes over time.
this light intensity changes over time.
59
181729
4672
來判讀隨時間變化的光強度。
03:18
On the left, you will be seeing
the light intensity without a burst,
the light intensity without a burst,
60
186933
5516
在左邊，你看到是未迸裂的光強度，
03:24
and on the right, you will be seeing
the light intensity with the burst.
the light intensity with the burst.
61
192473
4155
在右邊，你看到是迸裂的光強度。
03:30
Early during my career,
I could also see this kind of plot.
I could also see this kind of plot.
62
198381
3701
在早期的職業生涯中，我也可以目視這樣的圖。
03:34
But then, I lost my sight.
63
202562
2728
但後來，我失去了視力。
03:37
I completely lost my sight
because of extended illness,
because of extended illness,
64
205314
3152
由於長期的疾病，我完全失明，
03:40
and with it, I lost
the opportunity to see this plot
the opportunity to see this plot
65
208490
3685
自此，無法再看這樣的圖，
03:45
and the opportunity to do my physics.
66
213208
2757
也無法再研究物理學。
對我而言，許多方面是個巨變。
03:49
It was a very strong transition
for me in many ways.
for me in many ways.
67
217672
2455
03:53
And professionally, it left me
without a way to do my science.
without a way to do my science.
68
221295
4245
專業上，我無法再從事科學研究。
03:57
I longed to access and scrutinize
this energetic light
this energetic light
69
225564
4615
我渴望靠近、檢視這能量的光，
04:02
and figure out the astrophysical cause.
70
230203
2686
並弄清楚其背後天體物理學的原因。
04:04
I wanted to experience
the spacious wonder, the excitement,
the spacious wonder, the excitement,
71
232913
3462
我想體驗太空的奇蹟、激動，
04:08
the joy produced by the detection
of such a titanic celestial event.
of such a titanic celestial event.
72
236399
4449
以及因偵測到超大天體事件
而產生的喜悅。
而產生的喜悅。
04:13
I thought long and hard about it,
73
241352
3300
我深思、長考，
04:16
when I suddenly realized
that all a light curve is,
that all a light curve is,
74
244676
3685
突然意識到所有的光曲線
04:20
is a table of numbers
converted into a visual plot.
converted into a visual plot.
75
248385
3841
都是由表列的數字轉換成可視的圖形。
04:24
So along with my collaborators,
76
252861
1901
所以，我與合作的夥伴
04:26
we worked really hard and we translated
the numbers into sound.
the numbers into sound.
77
254786
4208
一同努力把數字轉換成聲音。
04:31
I achieved access to the data,
78
259765
2004
我再度能接觸到數據，
04:33
and today I'm able to do physics
at the level of the best astronomer,
at the level of the best astronomer,
79
261793
5013
如今能達到最佳天文學家的物理水平，
04:38
using sound.
80
266830
1151
憑藉的是聲音。
04:40
And what people have been able to do,
81
268005
2628
幾百年來，人們主要靠視覺做的事，
04:42
mainly visually,
82
270657
1153
04:43
for hundreds of years,
83
271834
1344
04:45
now I do it using sound.
84
273202
2342
現在我用聲音也做得到。
04:47
(Applause)
85
275892
1037
聽到你們用眼睛看的伽瑪射線暴 －
04:48
Listening to this gamma-ray burst
86
276953
1702
04:50
that you're seeing on the --
(Applause continues)
(Applause continues)
87
278679
2320
（掌聲）
謝謝。
04:53
Thank you.
88
281023
1151
我聽著你們在螢幕上看的射線暴，
04:54
Listening to this burst
that you're seeing on the screen
that you're seeing on the screen
89
282198
2708
帶給我耳朵，遠超出明顯的射線暴。
04:56
brought something to the ear
beyond the obvious burst.
beyond the obvious burst.
90
284930
2595
04:59
Now I'm going to play the burst for you.
91
287973
1935
現在我播放射線暴給你們聽。
05:01
It's not music, it's sound.
92
289932
2054
不是音樂，是聲音。
05:05
(Digital beeping sounds)
93
293264
3251
（數位叮咚聲）
05:08
This is scientific data
converted into sound,
converted into sound,
94
296539
3291
是把科學數據轉換聲音，
05:11
and it's mapped in pitch.
95
299854
1234
投射為音調。
05:13
The process is called sonification.
96
301112
2419
這個過程被稱為「音波處理」。
（數位叮咚聲）
05:18
So listening to this
brought something to the ear
brought something to the ear
97
306958
2310
聽這聲音，帶給耳朵的，超出明顯的射線暴。
05:21
besides the obvious burst.
98
309292
1349
05:22
When I examine the very strong
low-frequency regions,
low-frequency regions,
99
310665
4521
當我細察有強烈訊號的低頻區，
05:27
or bass line -- I'm zooming
into the bass line now.
into the bass line now.
100
315210
4872
或低音區，
我正聚焦於低音區，
05:33
We noted resonances characteristic
of electrically charged gasses
of electrically charged gasses
101
321500
5519
我們注意到帶電氣體的共振特徵
05:39
like the solar wind.
102
327043
1602
像是太陽風。
05:40
And I want you to hear what I heard.
103
328669
2503
我要你們聽我所聽到的。
05:43
You will hear it as a very fast
decrease in volume.
decrease in volume.
104
331196
3781
你們會聽到音量快速的降低。
05:47
And because you're sighted,
I'm giving you a red line
I'm giving you a red line
105
335001
2763
因為你們明眼人不習慣，我在這畫了條紅線
05:49
indicating what intensity of light
is being converted into sound.
is being converted into sound.
106
337788
3939
指示何種光的亮度被轉換成聲音。
05:55
(Digital hum and whistling sound)
107
343672
2414
（數位嗡嗡聲和呼嘯聲）
05:58
The (Whistles) is frogs at home,
don't pay attention to that.
don't pay attention to that.
108
346110
3294
哨聲是青蛙聲，別管它。
06:01
(Laughter)
109
349428
1846
（笑聲）
06:03
(Digital hum and whistling sound)
110
351298
5227
（數位嗡嗡聲和呼嘯聲）
06:08
I think you heard it, right?
111
356549
1872
你們聽到了，對吧？
06:11
So what we found
112
359503
1277
我們發現的是
06:12
is that the bursts last long enough
in order to support wave resonances,
in order to support wave resonances,
113
360804
4914
一長串足以支撐共振波的脈衝，
06:17
which are things caused by exchanges
of energy between particles
of energy between particles
114
365742
4217
由粒子間交換能量所產生，
06:21
that may have been excited,
115
369983
1318
依體積大小所激發的。
06:23
that depend on the volume.
116
371325
1381
06:25
You may remember that I said
that the matter around the star
that the matter around the star
117
373151
3090
還記得我先前所說的，恆星牽引著圍繞的物質？
06:28
is dragged around?
118
376265
1656
06:29
It transmits power with frequency
and field distribution
and field distribution
119
377945
3814
它以由維數決定的音頻和音域來傳輸能量。
06:33
determined by the dimensions.
120
381783
1722
06:36
You may remember that we were talking
about a super-massive star
about a super-massive star
121
384434
3950
你們可能還記得，我們剛剛談論的超質量恆星，
06:40
that became a very strong
magnetic field magnetar.
magnetic field magnetar.
122
388408
3168
成為磁場非常強大的磁星。
06:44
If this is the case, then outflows
from the exploding star
from the exploding star
123
392264
4373
倘若是這種情況，
恆星爆炸可能與向外射出的伽瑪射線暴相關。
06:48
may be associated
with this gamma-ray burst.
with this gamma-ray burst.
124
396661
2483
06:51
What does that mean?
125
399168
1568
這意味著什麼？
06:52
That star formation
may be a very important part
may be a very important part
126
400760
2967
恆星的形成可能是超新星爆炸重要的一部分。
06:55
of these supernova explosions.
127
403751
1514
06:58
Listening to this very gamma-ray burst
brought us to the notion
brought us to the notion
128
406047
4387
聆聽伽瑪射線暴帶給我們這觀念：
07:02
that the use of sound
as an adjunctive visual display
as an adjunctive visual display
129
410458
2799
用聲音輔助視覺
07:05
may also support sighted astronomers
130
413281
2225
也可以幫助明眼的天文學家
07:07
in the search for more
information in the data.
information in the data.
131
415530
2450
從數據中找出更多的資訊。
07:10
Simultaneously, I worked on analyzing
measurements from other telescopes,
measurements from other telescopes,
132
418562
5318
同時，我分析其他望遠鏡的量測數據，
07:15
and my experiments demonstrated
133
423904
2203
證明了
07:18
that when you use sound
as an adjunctive visual display,
as an adjunctive visual display,
134
426131
4214
用聲音輔助視覺，
07:22
astronomers can find more information
135
430369
2916
可讓天文學家更容易取得數據、找到更多的資訊。
07:25
in this now more accessible data set.
136
433309
2867
07:29
This ability to transform data into sound
137
437086
3744
使用轉換數據為聲音的方法，
07:32
gives astronomy a tremendous
power of transformation.
power of transformation.
138
440854
3077
提供天文學巨大的轉型動力。
07:36
And the fact that a field
that is so visual may be improved
that is so visual may be improved
139
444381
3941
事實上，改善這個顯而易見的領域
可振奮任何有興趣探索、瞭解太空的人。
07:40
in order to include anyone with interest
in understanding what lies in the heavens
in understanding what lies in the heavens
140
448346
4673
07:45
is a spirit-lifter.
141
453043
1509
07:47
When I lost my sight,
142
455390
1889
失明之後，我意會到無法獲得
07:49
I noticed that I didn't have access
143
457303
2076
07:51
to the same amount
and quality of information
and quality of information
144
459403
2626
與明眼的天文學家同樣多質量的資訊。
07:54
a sighted astronomer had.
145
462053
1396
07:56
It was not until we innovated
with the sonification process
with the sonification process
146
464220
3480
直到我們創新使用音波處理，
07:59
that I regained the hope
to be a productive member of the field
to be a productive member of the field
147
467724
3952
我恢復再度貢獻於此領域的希望，
08:03
that I had worked so hard to be part of.
148
471700
2610
我曾是其中辛苦耕耘的一份子。
08:07
Yet, information access
is not the only area in astronomy
is not the only area in astronomy
149
475429
4451
然而，天文學並非資訊取得
至關重要的唯一領域。
至關重要的唯一領域。
08:11
where this is important.
150
479904
2184
08:14
The situation is systemic
151
482602
2524
這種情況是系統性的，
08:17
and scientific fields are not keeping up.
152
485150
2969
科學領域尚未跟上。
08:20
The body is something changeable --
153
488825
2652
人的身體多變，
08:23
anyone may develop
a disability at any point.
a disability at any point.
154
491501
3365
任何人都可能於某個時間、於某方面殘疾。
08:26
Let's think about, for example,
155
494890
2238
例如，想想看，
08:29
scientists that are already
at the top of their careers.
at the top of their careers.
156
497152
2787
在職業生涯最高點的科學家
08:31
What happens to them
if they develop a disability?
if they develop a disability?
157
499963
2840
倘若發生了殘疾會怎樣？
08:34
Will they feel excommunicated as I did?
158
502827
2417
他們會和我一樣覺得被排除在外嗎？
08:37
Information access
empowers us to flourish.
empowers us to flourish.
159
505839
3190
得以接觸資訊使我們能蓬勃發展，
08:41
It gives us equal opportunities
to display our talents
to display our talents
160
509499
3600
給我們一展長才的均等機會，
08:45
and choose what we want
to do with our lives,
to do with our lives,
161
513123
2863
讓我們得以選擇想要的生活，
08:48
based on interest and not based
on potential barriers.
on potential barriers.
162
516010
3308
依循興趣，而不受限於潛在的障礙。
08:52
When we give people the opportunity
to succeed without limits,
to succeed without limits,
163
520294
4367
當人們被賦予不受限制的成功機會，
08:56
that will lead to personal fulfillment
and prospering life.
and prospering life.
164
524685
4558
將使個人實現價值，繁榮地生活。
09:01
And I think that the use
of sound in astronomy
of sound in astronomy
165
529267
2433
我認為在天文學領域使用聲音
09:03
is helping us to achieve that
and to contribute to science.
and to contribute to science.
166
531724
3477
正在幫助我們實現這一目標並促進科學。
09:08
While other countries told me
that the study of perception techniques
that the study of perception techniques
167
536119
4532
其他國家告訴我，
感知技術的研究已被用在非天文學的領域中，
09:12
in order to study astronomy data
is not relevant to astronomy
is not relevant to astronomy
168
540675
3577
09:16
because there are no blind
astronomers in the field,
astronomers in the field,
169
544276
3200
因他們沒有眼盲的天文學家。
09:19
South Africa said, "We want
people with disabilities
people with disabilities
170
547500
3404
南非表示，「我們希望殘疾人貢獻於天文學領域。」
09:22
to contribute to the field."
171
550928
1976
09:24
Right now, I'm working
172
552928
1326
現在，我在南非天文台的天文學促進發展辦公室工作。
09:26
at the South African
Astronomical Observatory,
Astronomical Observatory,
173
554278
2732
09:29
at the Office of Astronomy
for Development.
for Development.
174
557034
3085
09:32
There, we are working on sonification
techniques and analysis methods
techniques and analysis methods
175
560436
4741
在那裡，我們正研究以音波處理技術和分析方法
09:37
to impact the students
of the Athlone School for the Blind.
of the Athlone School for the Blind.
176
565201
3446
來影響阿斯隆盲人學校的學生。
09:41
These students will be learning
radio astronomy,
radio astronomy,
177
569603
2486
這些學生將學習無線電天文學和音波處理法，
09:44
and they will be learning
the sonification methods
the sonification methods
178
572113
3238
09:47
in order to study astronomical events
like huge ejections of energy
like huge ejections of energy
179
575375
4471
以研究噴出巨大能量的天文事件，
09:51
from the sun, known as
coronal mass ejections.
coronal mass ejections.
180
579870
2436
像是太陽的「日冕質量拋射」。
09:55
What we learn with these students --
181
583194
1759
我們與這些學生一起學習，
09:56
these students have multiple disabilities
and coping strategies
and coping strategies
182
584977
3797
這些有多重殘疾的學生，學習應對策略和適應。
10:00
that will be accommodated --
183
588798
1876
10:02
what we learn with these students
will directly impact
will directly impact
184
590698
2839
我們與這些學生一起
將會直接影響做事的專業水平。
10:05
the way things are being done
at the professional level.
at the professional level.
185
593561
3157
10:08
I humbly call this development.
186
596742
2059
我謙恭地把這稱為進展，
10:10
And this is happening right now.
187
598825
2256
而這進展此刻正在進行中。
10:14
I think that science is for everyone.
188
602350
3378
我認為，科學屬於每個人。
10:18
It belongs to the people,
189
606275
1448
它屬於人們，
10:19
and it has to be available to everyone,
190
607747
2251
必須是人人可及，
10:22
because we are all natural explorers.
191
610022
2213
因為我們每個人天生都是探險家。
10:24
I think that if we limit people
with disabilities
with disabilities
192
612956
5180
我認為
如果我們限制殘疾人參與科學，
10:30
from participating in science,
193
618171
1829
10:32
we'll sever our links with history
and with society.
and with society.
194
620024
3648
將會斷絕歷史與社會的鏈接。
10:35
I dream of a level
scientific playing field,
scientific playing field,
195
623696
3446
我夢想一個公平的科學競爭環境，
10:39
where people encourage respect
and respect each other,
and respect each other,
196
627166
4988
那裡的人們互相鼓勵，互相尊重，
10:44
where people exchange strategies
and discover together.
and discover together.
197
632178
3088
交流策略，共同探索。
10:47
If people with disabilities
are allowed into the scientific field,
are allowed into the scientific field,
198
635810
4297
如果殘疾人能被允許進入科學領域，
10:52
an explosion, a huge titanic burst
of knowledge will take place,
of knowledge will take place,
199
640131
4709
一個巨大無比的知識爆炸將會發生，
10:56
I am sure.
200
644864
1477
我確定。
11:01
(Digital beeping sounds)
201
649251
1849
（數位叮咚聲）
11:03
That is the titanic burst.
202
651124
1864
這是巨大無比的爆炸。
11:06
Thank you.
203
654420
1151
謝謝。
11:07
Thank you.
204
655595
1151
謝謝。
11:08
(Applause)
205
656770
5672
（掌聲）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Wanda Diaz Merced - Sonic astrophysicistWhile searching for ways to study stellar radiation without relying on sight, Wanda Diaz Merced has developed a way to represent complex data about our universe as sound.
Why you should listen
When Wanda Diaz Merced lost her sight in her early 20s, her dreams of studying stars in the visually oriented scientific world suffered a major setback -- until she discovered “sonification,” a way to turn huge data sets into audible sound using pitch, duration and other properties. Merced realized that she could use her ears to detect patterns in stellar radio data, and could uncover connections obscured by graphs and visual representation.
While working at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Merced’s sonifications inspired musician and researcher Gerhard Sonnert to create X-Ray Hydra, an album of oddly jazzy music based on her audio representations.
Wanda Diaz Merced | Speaker | TED.com