Chichén Itzá is an ancient Mayan city that is home to some of the most impressive ruins in the Americas, including the Kukulkan Pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Great Ball Court. I worked here here in 2005 and 2007 collecting photographic spherical panoramas to help plan an animated film about Maya astronomy.
The ruins of the city offer a glimpse into the lives of the Maya people, their beliefs, and their achievements. Every year, thousands of people flock to Chichén Itzá to celebrate the spring and fall equinoxes. On these days, the sun casts a shadow on the side of the Kukulkan Pyramid that resembles a snake.
Tales of the Maya Skies is a 34-minute full-dome planetarium animated movie that explores the astronomy, art, and culture of the ancient Maya. The show uses the latest 3D laser scanning and advanced graphic techniques to take viewers on a journey back in time to the jungles of Mexico. Along the way, they learn about the Maya's sophisticated understanding of astronomy, how they used this knowledge to build their temples and cities, and how their beliefs about the cosmos influenced their art and culture.
