A planetary can can and a universal rhapsody: Approaching planetary outreach through popular music

Science communication is increasingly seeking to engage wider and more diverse audiences through interdisciplinary approaches, including the arts. Among these, the integration of music into science outreach has shown great promise, particularly due to its emotional resonance, accessibility and mnemonic potential. This contribution explores the structured use of popular music as a medium to communicate core concepts in planetary science and cosmology to non-specialist audiences.

Building on previous outreach efforts in the field of space weather, this work presents a new case study entitled "Planetary Can-Can & Universal Rhapsody". The project adapts the lyrics of Jacques Offenbach's Can-Can and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to present scientific content related to the formation of stars and planetary systems, the characteristics of Solar System bodies, and broader cosmological themes. Particular attention is paid to maintaining scientific accuracy while preserving fidelity to the original musical structure, including rhythm, rhyme, and phrasing.

This method provides a creative avenue for informal science education and public engagement that is particularly effective for younger audiences and general public events. By translating complex astrophysical phenomena into familiar and engaging formats, the project increases the accessibility, promotes conceptual understanding and fosters active audience participation.

By translating complex astrophysical phenomena into familiar and engaging formats, the project enhances accessibility, promotes conceptual understanding, and encourages participatory learning experiences.