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The lucky few who have the incredible opportunity to see Earth from space often report that the sight gives them a sense of wonder, unity, and clarity. This perspective-altering experience has come to be known as the general effect, from a book of the same name published in 1987 by space philosopher Frank White.
In the Dome of the International Space Station, a dome-shaped module with six windows that overlook Earth, the view of our planet has become even more spectacular for those on board. The small module is designed for observation of off-station operations such as robotic activities, vehicle approaches and spacewalks. But the direct, nadir view of Earth through windows is what astronauts enjoy the most, and it’s where they go for quiet introspection about their place in space, as well as keeping an eye on events on Earth like hurricanes and fires. forestry.
The view in our main image shows the islands of the Caribbean Sea, and was taken from inside the Dome. Visible in the foreground are the ISS’s solar panels and the docked Progress refueling vehicle. But the view of Earth shows the multi-hued waters of the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean that frame the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and southern Florida.
“This view of the Earth from space, the perspective of the entire Earth, is, I think, the true symbol of this age,” said Frank White in the short film “Perspective,” which you can watch below. “I think … there is going to be a growing interest in communicating this idea because, after all, it is key to our survival. We have to start acting like a species with a destiny. We are not going to survive if we don’t do that. “
Want more views of Earth? Check out this stunning view of the aurora taken with the ISS’s many cameras, including views from the Dome. Additionally, the NASA Earth Observatory website provides a daily dose of views from space.
Given that this is an election year in the United States, the thoughts of several astronauts come to mind about how a view of the Earth from above could alter the perspectives of politicians.
Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 lunar module pilot, put it a little more forcefully:
“You develop instantaneous global awareness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From there on the moon, international politics seems so petty. You want to grab a politician by the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch.
– Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14
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