An Indian astronomer has captured a breathtaking time-lapse video showcasing Earth’s rotation, filmed from the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. The mesmerizing footage reveals the planet’s movement from sunrise to sunset, with the Milky Way painting the backdrop. Known for its high altitude, crystal-clear skies, and minimal light pollution, the observatory offers an ideal spot for stargazing.
Challenges Behind the Perfect Shot
The project spanned four nights, with the astronomer using advanced technology to document the continuous motion of Earth. However, the journey wasn’t without obstacles. Extreme cold in Ladakh rapidly drained camera batteries, while storage issues and timer malfunctions added to the challenge. Despite these setbacks, the final video flawlessly captures the celestial spectacle.
Sharing the clip on X (formerly Twitter), the astronomer wrote, “A Day in Motion – Capturing Earth’s Rotation. The stars remain still, but Earth never stops spinning. Initially planned to frame Orion, but it was too high in the sky for my latitude. Extreme cold made things tougher, draining batteries faster & pushing my equipment to its limits.”
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
A Day in Motion – Capturing Earth’s Rotation
The stars remain still, but Earth never stops spinning. My goal was to capture a full 24-hour time-lapse, revealing the transition from day to night and back again. @IIABengaluru @asipoec (1/n) pic.twitter.com/LnCQNXJC9R
— Dorje Angchuk (@dorje1974) January 31, 2025
Reactions from the Public
The post quickly gained attention, with users praising the stunning visuals. One commented, “Should be shown to school children. Nothing like seeing the words of a geography lesson come alive.” Another user admired the effort, writing, “Great to see this beautiful natural phenomenon. Tracking is spot on and must’ve been tough without special equipment.”
A Learning Journey
The astronomer revealed that each attempt brought valuable lessons, helping refine his equipment setup. Using a tracker for smooth motion and a mobile system for exposure adjustments, he managed to achieve a seamless sequence. Editing, however, posed its own difficulties—cropping was necessary due to framing imperfections.
Despite all the hurdles, he described the project as “absolutely worth it.” Interestingly, the idea for this time-lapse emerged from a simple suggestion—to create an educational video demonstrating Earth’s rotation for students.