It would be great to explore HDRI image manipulation in copernicus as animated reflection and light maps for motion graphics.

I've started with trying to distort an image and checking its projection back on a sphere.

Not as simple as I expected - weighting distortion with a horizontal ramp to spread the pixels out for the poles at the top and bottom of the image. weighted distortion graphics [graphicdesign.stackexchange.com]

Any ideas/suggestions/recommendations much appreciated thanks!