Wanda Díaz-Merced: Listening to the Universe

Rebel Girls

Stories For Kids, Education For Kids, Kids & Family

4.5 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 November 2025

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Through her invention LightSound, Wanda Díaz-Merced, a Blind astrophysicist, has made experiencing solar eclipses possible for Blind and Low Vision communities. Listen in to learn more about LightSound and Wanda’s inspiring journey as an astrophysicist. This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. The story of Wanda Díaz-Merced was made possible by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, celebrating women with disabilities in STEM, along with our principal partners, the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and Swinburne University of Technology and our supporting partners: The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, Deakin University, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. This episode was narrated by Gabriella Ortiz. It was produced and directed by Sam Gebauer, with sound design and mixing by Carter Wogahn. The story was written by Sam Gebauer and edited by Deborah Goldstein. Fact checking by Danielle Roth. Production coordination by Natalie Hara. Haley Dapkus was our senior producer. Our executive producers were Anjelika Temple and Jes Wolfe. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible! Until next time, stay rebel!

Transcript

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0:00.0	On an early spring day, in 204, people from across North America flocked outside to witness a rare celestial occurrence.
0:20.0	A total solar eclipse.
0:23.6	Maybe you even joined your class, your family, or your friends to watch it too.
0:28.6	Many people use special glasses to safely observe the eclipse.
0:33.6	Others used household items like colanders to project the moon's eclipse of the sun onto the ground.
0:40.3	However it was done, millions of people across the United States, Mexico, and Canada,
0:46.3	gathered to watch a marvel of nature together.
0:50.3	People even as far away as Australia and New Zealand tuned in online to share in the excitement.
0:58.0	But watching it wasn't the only way people experienced a total solar eclipse.
1:05.0	Some people actually listened to the eclipse.
1:09.0	And one of those people was astrophysicist Dr. Wanda Diasmerced.
1:13.6	Wanda used a device that she invented called Light Sound to hear the moon passing directly between the Sun and the Earth.
1:24.6	Before and after the eclipse, when the Sun is brightest,
1:29.3	light sound emits frequent ticking sounds and high sounding tones. And as the
1:36.4	moon crosses over and briefly covers the Sun, light sound emits lower, less frequent
1:43.4	tones and ticking sounds.
1:46.0	Wanda wanted to help other people like herself who were blind or living with low vision experience the eclipse.
1:53.0	So more than 750 of these devices were sent out across North America for this event.
2:00.0	Wanda proved that she could be an astronomer
2:03.3	and paved the way for others with disabilities to do the same.
2:07.5	And because of her work, people of all abilities around the world
2:11.7	are able to experience the wonders of science too.
	...

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