triffid_hunter t1_jabcc5j wrote on February 28, 2023 at 4:55 AM

Reply to comment by Exciting-Release-284 in If space could have noise what would it be? by Exciting-Release-284

Sound works by particles in close proximity repelling each other and thus passing pressure ripples along - so we either have sound everywhere and no chance of orbits or life, or vast swathes of emptiness with occasional islands where life could occur.

Fwiw it's thought that some of the variations in the CMB were from 'phonons' ie packets of sound energy in the plasma - see here

Also note that we have problems with the sound of rocket exhaust shredding concrete at launch pads (which is the main reason why we spray water under rockets when they lift off, it breaks up the shockwaves) - so astronomical events would trivially destroy everything over and over again if their sound could reach us.

Exciting-Release-284 OP t1_jabdaui wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:05 AM

Damn man, it was just a what if situation with creative thoughts. I like that you are taking it realistic though. But what would you think it would sound like if we could hear everything without consequences and death and not universal atmosphere, just like... our ears would be able to hear loud noises just fine and no destruction from sound... just imaginative... just a what if.

triffid_hunter t1_jabeay7 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:15 AM

> I like that you are taking it realistic though.

This is a sub for hard science after all, there's others better suited for creative writing ;)

> what would you think it would sound like if we could hear everything without consequences and death and not universal atmosphere, just like... our ears would be able to hear loud noises just fine and no destruction from sound... just imaginative... just a what if.

Ever been near a rocky seashore on a windy night?

Like that but louder than a jet engine 24/7 (mostly from the sun) with occasional gut-thumping cracks thrown in (from large celestial events) and maybe a couple discernible tones from millisecond pulsars depending on how loud of a sound your medium could carry before hitting vacuum at one extreme.

It would be pretty unpleasant