If you tilt your head back to look up into the night sky, and then close your eyes, can you hear the stars? I can.

In college, while studying to be an astrophysicist, I lost my sight from an extended illness. As you can imagine, astronomy and physics are very visual fields of study, so I thought I had lost my ability to continue to study the sciences that inspired me.

At that time there were limited ways that a blind person could do what I do, at the doctoral level, in science. But I was determined to find the means to work as an astrophysicist. So I worked to develop techniques in sonification, or how we translate data into sound signals. Suddenly, it was possible to detect subtle changes in data patterns, simply by listening to them. I was able to hear patterns that couldn't be noticed otherwise, like in the electromagnetic waves emitted by stars.

I believe that astronomy, and all of the sciences, can inspire, amaze, and help us create a better world.

That's why I'm so excited to be participating in the White House Frontiers Conference -- an event that's bringing together hundreds of innovators like me who are reimagining the boundaries of what's possible in order to shape the presentand the future.

While the term "frontier" is often thought of in relation to space, it's about more than astronomy, or physics, or any one scientific discipline. It's about innovation and curiosity and exploration.

It's about making incredible breakthroughs in health care and personalized medicine, because each of us is different and has something to contribute. It's about pushing the boundaries of data, to develop tools like sonification, yes, and also to create more inclusive communities by solving transportation challenges and expanding education opportunities. It's about harnessing the potential of new technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation to find out how they can benefit all Americans.

I think that science is for everyone. It belongs to the people, and it has to be available to everyone, because we are all natural explorers.

You can be part of it, too. Tune in today at 1:45 pm ET, as President Obama and I explore the world's most pressing challenges along with hundreds of other innovators, and strive to keep America on the cutting edge of all the frontiers to come.

Thanks for listening,

Wanda

Wanda Diaz Merced
Astrophysicist

Can you hear the stars?

• Astronomy Astrophysicist Physics Stars The night sky
• At 10/13/2016 06:54:00 p.m.
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And with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, I managed to reach my dream and see those stars up close during my travels into space as a mission specialist with NASA’s Astronaut Corps.

Every kid should get to experience the excitement of seeing the stars a little bit closer.

Which is why today, working as Assistant Director of Space and Aviation Security in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, you can guess that I’m particularly excited that tonight, the President will host the second-ever Astronomy Night, right here on the South Lawn of the White House.

We’ve invited students, educators, engineers, scientists, and visionaries from the space industry here to stargaze with us tonight, using 18 telescopes to observe celestial objects, including the Moon, Neptune, the Andromeda Galaxy, and Albireo (a binary star system).

I’m reaching out because, together, we can ensure that you and people in every corner of our nation get to join in the fun Astronomy Night. Here's how you can get ready:

Encourage your friends and family to tune into a live-stream of Astronomy Night at 7:30pm ET at whitehouse.gov/live to watch the President’s remarks. You can alsoshare this map of local astronomy nights happening around the country so others can participate remotely as well.

At the first Astronomy Night, we were lucky to have a visit from Astronaut Sally Ride, the first woman in space and one of my heroes. Watch here for a throwback and some of her words of wisdom.

This year, we’re thrilled to be having a conversation with some special guests, including four NASA Commercial Crew Astronauts, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from Discovery Channel’s MythBusters, and more. Want to join in? Ask your astronomical questions on social media using #AskAScientist.

That’s all for now, but don’t forget to tune in, and look up.

Alvin Drew

Ever since I was a kid, I had my sights set on the stars.

• Astronaut NASA Stars White House
• At 10/20/2015 10:10:00 a.m.
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