Ordinary sound cannot travel across the near-vacuum of open space in a way people can hear. Sound is a mechanical wave that needs matter to carry it. Space is not perfectly empty, however, and instruments can detect waves in plasma or electromagnetic signals and translate data into audio. Those recordings do not mean sound crossed the vacuum like it does through air.
Why ordinary sound cannot cross open space
Sound travels when a disturbance moves through a material medium: particles in air, water, or another substance vibrate and pass the disturbance along. In the near-vacuum between objects in space, there are too few particles to carry ordinary sound to a listener. That is why an explosion outside a spacecraft would not be heard by someone nearby through the vacuum.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
NASA explains that sound waves cannot travel in a vacuum because there is no medium to transmit the mechanical waves. See NASA’s explanation of electromagnetic waves and sound.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesDoes sound exist anywhere in space?
It is too broad to say that no sound or wave activity exists anywhere in space. Space is not a perfect vacuum, and matter in some environments can support waves. NASA’s Cosmicopia gives an approximate comparison of about five atoms per cubic centimeter near Earth’s orbit and about 1019 atoms per cubic centimeter at Earth’s surface. These figures describe those specific locations, not the density throughout space; the page does not state a publication year.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
NASA notes that sound waves can technically exist in outer space, but their frequencies are too low for human ears. The useful distinction is that people cannot hear ordinary sound traveling through the near-vacuum of open space, even though instruments can detect wave activity in particular environments. See NASA Goddard’s Cosmicopia explanation.
Can you hear sound in space?
Not across the vacuum between a source and a person. A vibrating object can still move in space, but its vibration does not become audible to a nearby person unless a material medium carries it to them. NASA uses a tuning fork as an example: an astronaut outside an air-filled environment would not hear it in a vacuum. Inside an air-filled spacecraft, astronauts can speak and hear one another because the cabin air carries sound.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
See NASA Goddard’s explanation of sound and vacuum.
What are the “sounds of space” recordings?
They are often scientific measurements represented as audio, not ordinary sound recorded as it traveled through a vacuum. A spacecraft may detect a signal or wave in its environment; scientists can then convert or play that data in a form people can hear. The conversion makes the data audible, but it does not change what the instrument measured.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Voyager 1’s plasma-wave data
Voyager 1’s Plasma Wave Science instrument senses waves of electrons in plasma. It is not a microphone and does not detect ordinary sound. At a 2013 NASA press conference, Don Gurnett, the instrument’s principal investigator, played the data as audio. NASA describes the result as a way to hear the measured plasma-wave activity, while clarifying that the instrument does not detect sound itself. Read NASA’s account of the sounds of interstellar space.
NASA’s “Cosmic Echoes”
NASA’s “Cosmic Echoes” audio experience combines historic spacecraft recordings, real electromagnetic-wave recordings, and sonification of astronomical data. In this context, sonification means mapping data into audio so people can experience patterns through sound. It is an audio interpretation of measurements, not proof that ordinary sound traveled through empty space.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Why movies make space explosions audible
A movie can add an explosion sound for dramatic effect, but an observer outside the blast would not hear it through the vacuum. Sound could be heard by someone inside a spacecraft if the event made the spacecraft or its cabin air vibrate; that is sound traveling through a material medium, not across open space.
Space also contains electromagnetic waves, which do not require a material medium to travel. They are not sound: they are a different kind of wave, and recordings or sonifications of them should be described as data translated into audio rather than as sound crossing a vacuum. NASA explains this distinction in its overview of electromagnetic waves.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
