The Cosmic Cycles Collaboration

In a remarkable collaboration between NASA, the National Philharmonic, and composer Henry Dehlinger, science and music converge to guide audiences on a breathtaking voyage through the cosmos. Dehlinger composed the music specifically to complement NASA's stunning science imagery and data visualizations, and the National Philharmonic will perform these compositions live, creating an immersive experience that transcends traditional boundaries of scientific communication. The resulting concert, Cosmic Cycles  invites  listeners to marvel at the universe's wonders and feel a profound connection to the vast expanse around them.

Mother’s Day Release of MIDI Version

On Mother's Day, May 14, 2023, NASA will release a “composer’s cut”  of Cosmic Cycles, A Space Symphony.  This release, featuring Dehlinger’s original synthesized composition accompanies NASA’s awe-inspiring visuals to create an immersive voyage through the cosmos.  The entire video will be released on NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s YouTube page. 

How did the Cosmic Cycles project begin?

The National Philharmonic and NASA collaborated on several musical journeys through symphonies like “The Planets” and “La Mer” - those were incredible explorations of some of NASA’s most compelling planetary and ocean imagery.   This year, I was hoping to find some work that included imagery from all of NASA’s science themes - the Sun, Planets - with a special focus on Earth, the moon, and a voyage to the end of the universe to explore the echoes of the big bang.   To make this collaboration possible, we brought together some of NASA’s leading science producers from heliophysics, Earth studies, planetary and lunar science, and astrophysics.  

NASA Release Schedule

May 2 - Draft web feature completed (Libby Markham)

May 9 - proposed web feature goes live on NASA.gov (Garner)

May 11 - World premier, Cap One Hall 

• Pam Melroy featured NASA speaker - Grey Hautalouma writing remarks
• NASA Photographer - Brittany Brown arranging - pictures will be posted to NASA-HQ Flickr Account
• Deanna Trask outreach lead

May 13 - The Music Center at Strathmore Performance

May 14 - NASA Releases “Composer Cut” Featuring on Goddard’s YouTube Channel