Indian astronomer created stunning video capturing earth's rotation from Ladakh

Indian astronomer Dorje Angchuk has created a mesmerizing time-lapse video capturing Earth's rotation from the breathtaking landscapes of Ladakh.

As the engineer-in-charge at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Angchuk aspired to produce a complete 24-hour time-lapse showcasing the seamless transition between day and night.

Although we do not perceive the Earth's movement in our daily lives, our planet is in constant motion—both spinning on its axis and orbiting the Sun. In his video, Earth’s rotation becomes evident while the Milky Way appears motionless in the background.

Reflecting on the project, Angchuk remarked, “The stars remain still, but Earth never stops spinning,” underscoring the technical challenges he faced while bringing his vision to life.

His initial goal was to capture the Orion constellation; however, its high placement in the sky, given Ladakh’s latitude, presented difficulties. The region’s extreme cold also posed significant obstacles, rapidly draining camera batteries and pushing his equipment to its limits.

Over four nights, Angchuk encountered repeated setbacks, including storage shortages, battery failures, and timer malfunctions. Each hurdle offered new insights, allowing him to fine-tune his approach.

Employing a motion tracker and mobile-controlled exposure transitions, he ultimately managed to record a flawless sequence of Earth’s rotation. The post-processing stage also required careful adjustments, as he had to crop inconsistencies in framing to achieve a refined final output.