Nearly 5,000 metres above sea level, Ladakh’s Chilling Tso turns into a frozen, wind-lashed wilderness every winter—where even walking is a test of endurance. On January 10, a three-member team led by astrophotographer Dorje Angchuk braved sub-zero temperatures and a treacherous dirt track off the Hanle–Chumur road to capture Jupiter at its brightest opposition.
A rare celestial frame—Jupiter shining over the frozen lake, with the faint zodiacal light visible in the same shot. The final image is a 360° panorama, stitched from multiple tracked exposures, showcasing the untouched darkness of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve. 🌌
In a conversation with ETV Bharat’s Sr. Journalist Anubha Jain, Dorje Angchuk and Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, Head of Science Communication at IIA Bengaluru, unpack the grit, precision, and science behind this extraordinary high-altitude expedition.
Watch my interview with Dorje Angchuk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaZ64g3hf3M
Read my detailed interview report: https://www.etvbharat.com/en/technology/zodiacal-light-jupiter-and-frozen-ladakh-lake-dorje-angchuks-winter-trek-yields-360-degree-astronomical-image-enn26020502014
