Ask A Scientist© Astronomy Archive

Author:      thomas b jensen
Does sound travel in space?  We cannot come to a consensus in our science
class.  Please describe the physics.  

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      hawley
Sound needs a medium to travel in such as air.  There is no such medium in
space.  The myth of sound in space has been promulgated by Hollywood in
movies and tv:  rocket engines firing and explosions would have little
impact on the audience if there was no sound.  A little anecdote:  Harlan
Ellison, one of our preeminent modern day science fiction authors, is the
creative consultant for the tv show "Babylon 5", and has declared publicly
that he will continue in that capacity only as long as we do not hear any
explosions in outer space!