Capturing the cosmos for the world's most immersive planetarium experiences
The European Southern Observatory's Fulldome Expedition sends professional photographers to Chile to capture high-resolution imagery. This behind-the-scenes look reveals the rigorous preparation required to document the night sky for global planetarium audiences.
The expedition involves a specialized team, including ESO Photo Ambassadors like Babak Tafreshi, who travel to remote observatory sites in Chile. Their objective is to gather visual data specifically tailored for fulldome projection, a format that surrounds viewers with a seamless, immersive view of the universe.
The project is a collaborative effort involving technical support from Mathias André and Raquel Yumi Shida, with direction by Herbert Zodet. By documenting the night sky from these high-altitude locations, the team aims to bring the scale and beauty of professional astronomy to planetariums worldwide.
