The Little Planet Effect (also known as stereographic projection or polar panorama) is a photographic technique that transforms a wide panoramic image into a circular "tiny planet" shape. It uses stereographic projection math to map the rectangular photo onto a sphere, making the ground appear as the planet's surface and the sky wrap around the outer edge. This effect is popular in 360° photography, drone shots, and creative landscape photography.

Stereographic projection maps each pixel from the source image to a circular output using polar coordinates. The horizontal axis (x) of the photo maps to the angle around the circle (0°–360°), while the vertical axis (y) maps to the radial distance from the center. The bottom of your photo becomes the center of the planet, and the top stretches out to form the sky ring. This mathematical transformation creates the illusion of a spherical world viewed from above.

The best results come from wide panoramic photos or 360° panoramas with a clear horizon line. Ideal source images include: landscape panoramas, city skyline shots, drone aerial photos, beach scenes, and mountain vistas. Photos with a distinct ground-to-sky transition produce the most recognizable tiny planets. Images with interesting ground textures (buildings, trees, rocks) create compelling planet surfaces.

In Planet mode, the bottom of your photo maps to the center of the circle (creating the "planet surface"), and the top wraps around the outer edge (forming the atmosphere/sky). In Tunnel mode (inverse stereographic projection), this is reversed — the sky appears in the center and the ground wraps around the edge, creating a wormhole or tunnel effect. Both use the same mathematical principle but produce dramatically different artistic results.

Yes, this little planet maker is 100% free with no watermarks. All processing happens entirely in your browser using HTML5 Canvas — your photos are never uploaded to any server. This means your images remain private and secure, and the tool works even offline once the page is loaded. You can create unlimited tiny planet projections with no restrictions.

For optimal results, use photos with a resolution of at least 2000 pixels wide. The wider your source image, the more detail the planet will have around its circumference. Very large images (4000px+) may be automatically downsampled for faster preview rendering, but the download option renders at high resolution (up to 2000×2000 pixels) for crisp, print-quality output. Panoramic aspect ratios (2:1 or wider) produce the most dramatic effects.

Absolutely! This online stereographic projection tool is fully responsive and works on iOS and Android devices. You can upload photos directly from your phone's camera roll, adjust the planet effect with touch-friendly sliders, and even drag on the planet with your finger to rotate it. The interface adapts seamlessly to smaller screens for a smooth mobile experience.

For the best tiny planet photos, try these tips: (1) Use a wide-angle lens or shoot a panoramic sweep; (2) Keep the horizon centered in the frame; (3) Include interesting foreground elements (rocks, paths, buildings) for texture on the planet surface; (4) Shoot from an elevated position for a more dramatic perspective; (5) Use a tripod for consistent horizon alignment across panorama shots. Drone photography at moderate altitudes produces exceptional little planet results.