British Science Festival 2013: Helioscillator at Globe Gallery

Helioscillator 1 is an audiovisual installation that appeared at The Globe Gallery (www.globegallery.org) as part of the British Science Festival 2013. It was created by Jamie Salmon (aka The Curious Machine - thecuriousmachine.com) and Noel Murphy (aka VDU) in collaboration with Robertus von Fay-Siebenburgen and Richard Morton.

Helioscillator is based around data collected from seven sunspots, captured through the Dutch Open Telescope located in the Canary Islands. Reinterpreted as visual data, magnetic variations in the Sun's atmosphere are given life as they create an evolving landscape by triggering 42 light dependent resistors (each controlling an oscillating sine wave).

Its creators draw comparisons with 1970s science fiction, saying Helioscillator 1 "engages audiences with its mesmerising artifact-like otherworldly presence." Decide for yourself.