Liberty Global to live-stream rare solar eclipse in 360°

Liberty Global is to live-stream a rare type of solar eclipse to people around the world via its Facebook page and YouTube channel in the 360° format.

The Southern Ring of Fire solar eclipse will be streamed directly from the town of Coyhaique, in southern Chile thanks to a specially-installed fibre connection.

The live stream will start at 09:30am Chile Summer Time/12:30 GMT and build up to the full eclipse just over an hour later, when the moon will cover the sun’s disk.

The feed will be available in 360° on Liberty Global’s YouTube channel, which it says is the first time such an eclipse has been shown in this format.

Manuel Kohnstamm

Viewers wearing a virtual reality headset such as a Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear, or Oculus Rift will be able to view the eclipse in 360°, while viewers without headsets will be able to enjoy the 360° experience on their smartphones or tablets by moving the device around as they are watching.

Liberty Global’s Facebook page will also feature a 2D stream directly from a telescope installed in the square.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Liberty Global’s Chilean subsidiary VTR.

Manuel Kohnstamm, Liberty Global’s chief corporate afairs officer, said: “This event demonstrates how high-speed, stable broadband networks are bringing the wonders of the world to an ever-greater audience. I can’t think of a more stunning setting from which to showcase such an amazing event – which will be able to seen in 360-degrees for the first time by people all over the world.”