Photogrammetry enables the three-dimensional reconstruction of inaccessible, changing or difficult to visit places. Capturing these environments through this photographic computational technique affords planetarium audiences deep examination of both local and remote environments, while virtually exploring these spaces often with the guidance of experts in real-time. There is so much to appreciate about our dynamic planet, and photogrammetry can be a valuable means to do so. Join us in discussing the creation and impact of these realistic virtual experiences with professionals who are advancing this field.

Ka Chun Yu is an astronomer at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, which he joined as part of a team tasked to create planetarium software to visualize the known universe. He has helped produce movies for the digital dome; has created Earth educational programs for the planetarium; and has done research on how digital planetariums can be used to effectively teach astronomy. One of his latest projects involve touring Carlsbad caves in the dome utilizing photogrammetry data.

Ken Ackerman is an animator and motion graphics designer. At the Academy, Ken has rigged and animated dozens of creatures including sea otters, birds, fish, skeletons, microscopic plankton and mammals of land and sea. He has also helped develop the look and feel of the motion graphics you see in the California Academy of Science’s planetarium shows.

Blueplanet VR founder and lead developer Eric Hanson has an extensive background in design, architecture, photography and visual effects, working on major award winning feature films as leading VFX director at Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, Dream Quest Images and Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Eric’s award-winning visual effects and design work can be seen in films suchas The Day After Tomorrow”, “Cast Away”, “Fantasia 2000” and “The Fifth Element”. A passionate explorer, outdoorsman, Native American rock art enthusiast and expert hang gliding pilot, Eric is a Professor at the USC School of Cinematic Art in Los Angeles, leading and developing programs centered on film, visual effects, innovative emerging media, animation, film and virtual reality.