An experimental 3D-animation of the Lagoon Nebula, M8Astro Aanarchy

An experimental 3D-animation of the Lagoon Nebula, M8

I have tested a new method to publish my 3D-images as a form of Lenticular prints.

For this technique to work, I need series of images from different angles, in this case 24 images are needed.

Lenticular printing is actually an old technique but in past few years it has become much more sophisticated.

The results can be stunning visually, image plane disappears and object floats in and outside of the frame.

Since astronomical objects are too far away, no real parallax can be imaged. Doe to that, I have developed a method to turn my images to various 3D-formats. My work flow is based on scientific data from the object, distance and the source of ionization are usually known. The different types of the nebulae has typical structures, pillar like formations must point to the source of ionization, the radiation pressure forms kind of hollow area, inside of the nebula, around newly born stars, dark nebulae must be at front of the emission ones to show, etc... rest of the missing information is then replaced with an artistic vision.

The whole process is pretty much like sculpting!

Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8, as an animation

Please, let the animation load, ~5,5 MB

NOTE. Only real data from the original 2D-image is used for the 3D-animation!

Generally images about space objects shows them flat as a paintings in a canvas but in reality, they are volumes floating in three dimensional space. The purpose of my work is to show how I personally see those distant objects in my mind and they are fun to do!

The accuracy of the model depends how well I have known, figured out and guessed. Right or wrong, if my 3D experiments are giving something to think, they are working well.

Original 2D-image used for the animation