An algorithm diagnoses the noise source strength distribution on an arbitrarily shaped object based on acoustic pressures measured in the far field, known as FANS. FANS enable one to acquire a quick estimate of the acoustic pressure at locations that are off limit to traditional measurement microphones. Generally, in the method of the present invention, the noise source is modeled in terms a plurality of virtual spherical wave sources distributed on an auxiliary surface conformal to a source boundary from the inside, but not on the source boundary itself. Sound is then measured at a plurality of measurement points external to the source boundary. The sound field is reconstructed on the source boundary surface itself.