CHANDRA'S ACCESSIBLE UNIVERSE: FROM SIGHT TO SOUND & TOUCH

Abstract

The nature and complexity of various kinds of astronomical data visualizations can be challenging to communicate with people who are blind or low vision. In consultation with members from blind and low vision communities, we present an overview of 3D print, sonification and visual description projects at NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory Communications group as well as NASA's Universe of Learning, and how the 3D prints, sonifications, and descriptions are currently being used for our mission and programs. We describe how we can integrate verbal explanations of the scientific phenomena along with descriptions of what the visual viewer was seeing in the presented imagery, sonification or 3D model to create a more accessible, cohesive package. Our proposition is that this process of creating content for audiences who are blind or low-vision can and should be applied to other types of astronomy content and even a wider range of science communication content.