Earthrise: An astronaut’s perspective of Earth from space

Over 50 years ago on Christmas Eve, Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders captured an iconic image of the Earth rising above the surface of the moon. The photo, which is known as Earthrise, has left behind quite a legacy and has been credited with sparking an environmental movement.

Now, the European Space Agency shares the perspective of Frank De Winne, the head of the Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, on how he views our planet from space. Frank De Winne is a retired Belgian astronaut and military pilot who has served as the head of the European Astronaut Centre and as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS).

An astronaut shares his experience

Frank does not recall the Earthrise photo from his childhood, but he does have a vivid memory of the Moon landing. “My parents woke me up to watch it. Having to get up in the middle of the night to watch television was very impressive.”

He could have never imagined that he would one day fly to space, spending 198 non-consecutive days orbiting the Earth. Frank said that every experience in life has an impact, but the fragility of our planet, the thinness of our atmosphere, and the immense nature of the universe strikes you when you fly into space.

“The other part of course is that in space there are no borders,” he explained. “You can look as much as you want, but you cannot see a border between Germany and Poland and Poland and Ukraine. We have spent thousands of years fighting over imaginary lines on a map that are simply not evident from orbit.”

How being in space can change your perspective

This shift in awareness is referred to as the “overview effect” by author Frank White. He explained that while we can intellectually understand the ideas Frank De Winne and many other astronauts share with us, we still do not have the direct experience that is so powerful.

“Some of the astronauts I interviewed talked about going to the Grand Canyon in the United States – you can describe it, you can talk about it, you can try to explain it to people, but that is not the experience,” said White.

He believes that the Earthrise image, and imagery captured by astronauts like ESA’s Alexander Gerst, play an important role in helping us put our planet in perspective as well as the need for global thinking.

Image Credit: Alexander Gerst/ESA/NASA

“Earthrise amplified the environmental movement here on Earth,” said White. “It is a good example of how, by sharing their experiences with people who may not have the opportunity to travel to space, astronauts can influence our thinking and behavior.”

The overview effect will always stay with Frank De Winne, but now he looks to the Moon.

“We have come a long way since this photo was taken,” he said. “We landed on the Moon six times. ESA’s Rosetta orbiter landed on a comet, probes and rovers have landed on Mars, we are working together with five international partners and many more countries on the International Space Station.”

“Now it is time to take the next step and go forward to the Moon – not to plant a flag and be first, but to truly explore as an international community for the benefit of Earth. That is our vision for Europe.”

How it feels to be in space and see Earthrise

During the Apollo missions, the astronauts saw the Earthrise from the Moon during several missions. Specifically, Earthrise was first photographed by the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon, on December 24, 1968.

The astronauts of Apollo 10 also witnessed Earthrise while in lunar orbit in May 1969. Then, during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, the first humans landed on the Moon, and they saw Earthrise while on the surface of the Moon. So, in total, the Earthrise was seen by the Apollo astronauts on three separate missions.

Astronauts often describe a range of sensations and feelings when they are in space, including both physical and emotional experiences.

Physically, astronauts may initially feel disoriented or dizzy due to the lack of gravity. They may also experience a sense of weightlessness, which can be both exhilarating and disorienting. Some astronauts have reported feeling as though they are constantly falling, while others describe a sensation of floating or flying.

Emotionally, many astronauts report feeling a sense of awe and wonder at the incredible view of the Earth and the universe from space. They may also feel a sense of isolation or loneliness, as they are far away from friends and family on Earth. However, many also report a deep sense of camaraderie and connection with their fellow crew members, as they work together to accomplish their mission.

Astronauts help the Earth and humanity by sharing

Overall, the experience of being in space is often described as both challenging and rewarding, and many astronauts report that it changes their perspective on life and the world around them. Sharing these experiences, as Frank De Winne has done by sharing his Earthrise experience in this article, can help inspire, educate, and benefit humanity in very important and innumerable ways.

Here are a few examples:

1. Inspiring the next generation: Astronauts serve as role models for aspiring scientists and explorers, and their experiences in space can help inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields.
2. Advancing scientific research: Astronauts conduct a wide range of experiments in space, which can lead to new discoveries and innovations in fields such as medicine, engineering, and physics. By sharing their results and insights, astronauts can help advance scientific research and benefit humanity as a whole.
3. Promoting international cooperation: Space exploration is often a collaborative effort involving multiple countries and cultures. By working together in space, astronauts can help promote international cooperation and understanding.
4. Raising awareness of global issues: Astronauts often speak about their experiences of seeing the Earth from space, which can raise awareness of issues such as climate change and environmental degradation. By sharing their perspectives, astronauts can help promote global action to address these issues.

Overall, astronauts can serve as powerful ambassadors for space exploration and scientific discovery, and their experiences can help inspire, educate, and benefit humanity in a wide range of ways.

— By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

Main Image Credit: William Anders/NASA