1. Approaching the Black Hole

2. Circling the Black Hole The first frame shows a background sky highly distorted by the black hole in the center. The gravity of the black hole is so great that it actually deflects the background starlight. Large light bending effects cause the background sky to appear to move in unusual ways as you circle the black hole. Light paths are so curved that light can reach you from anywhere on the sky - even from behind the black hole - no part of the sky is eclipsed.

3. Approaching the Photon Sphere At the photon sphere, no light emitted outside can reach you from below - you look into the vast emptiness of the black hole. The sky you once knew is now behind you, compacted to occupy only half its original area.

4. Looking Up at the Photon Sphere The first frame is dark as you peer into the black hole itself. You begin to look up and stars come back into view. Now the stars are more blue than ever before as starlight that has fallen into the black hole to reach you has become more energetic. You may notice many dim stars just above the blackness - these are stars that are greatly de-magnified by the enormous gravity. You may also notice that some stars that you see in front of you - you expected to see behind you. Starlight from these stars has been bent around the far side of the black hole.

5. Circling the Black Hole at the Photon Sphere You currently sit at the black hole's photon sphere, where light can travel endlessly in a circle due to the star's great gravitational pull. The apparent position of the photon sphere is always easy to spot - it is the apparent dividing line between black hole and sky.