Astrophysicists have done a good job figuring out the various materials that make up the galaxy, but I'm pretty sure they haven't included Tums, half and half or cinnamon on their list. That hasn't stoppedphotographer Navid Baraty from creating stunning planets, stars and nebula from the stuff, however.
Baraty has created an imaginary spacecraft mission he calls Wander, which stands for Wormhole-Accelerated Nomad Delivering Reconnaissance. His invented craft, which has its own Facebook page, navigates vivid interstellar worlds he creates using ingredients found in most kitchens. You can see 10 of his amazing creations in the gallery below.
I asked Baraty just how he makes his stunning images and what prompted him to do so. Here's what he said.
What inspired you to start the Wander project?I've had a fascination with space ever since I was a kid camping in the backyard and looking at the stars through my childhood telescope. When I look at the night sky, I'm captivated by its mystery and all of its unknowns waiting to be discovered by the next experiment or telescope. When I see the cosmos through photographs taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and other earthly telescopes, I'm often left without words. I think the awe and wonder of space ignites our innate curiosity as humans.
How are the images created?
The images are made by placing the objects on an Epson photo scanner and then making a scan with the lid open. The planets and moons are made by scanning the bottoms of glasses containing the liquids. The liquids naturally create the shapes and swirls that you see in the images when they mix. The stars and other points of light are made by sprinkling spices and the other ingredients around the scanner glass. Like I mentioned, everything is scanned with the cover open to create the totally black backdrop of "space."
The images are made by placing the objects on an Epson photo scanner and then making a scan with the lid open. The planets and moons are made by scanning the bottoms of glasses containing the liquids. The liquids naturally create the shapes and swirls that you see in the images when they mix. The stars and other points of light are made by sprinkling spices and the other ingredients around the scanner glass. Like I mentioned, everything is scanned with the cover open to create the totally black backdrop of "space."
