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NASA
The northeastern U.S., including Connecticut and Massachusetts' Cape Cod, are seen in a photo taken on the International Space Station on June 27, 2011.
From a cosmic perspective, our planet has a peaceful beauty — no matter what tumult is raging far below. That's the message NASA astronaut Ron Garan wanted to send with this picture of the northeastern United States. Today, if you could zoom in far enough on this view today, you could see the anguish left behind in the wake of Friday's horrible school shooting in Connecticut.
"When we look at Earth from space, we are faced with a sobering contradiction," Garan writes on his Google+ page. "On the one hand is the beauty of our planet, on the other is the unfortunate reality of life on our planet for many of her inhabitants. Our prayers are with the victims and families in Connecticut. #LoveConquersAll"
You can count on Garan to bring a wider-angle view to whatever is happening here on Earth. He spent five months aboard the International Space Station last year, and since he returned, he has been sharing the glories of our blue planet via Google+ as well as Twitter, Facebook and the Fragile Oasis website. This particular picture was snapped from the space station during Garan's stint in orbit. To learn more about the image, check in with NASA's Earth Observatory or the Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.
Garan wasn't the first human to reflect on the cosmic perspective produced by outer-space views: Astronauts and philosophers have long talked about the "Overview Effect," the sense of planetary unity that arises when you see Earth as an object suspended in space. Just this month, a group known as Planetary Collective unveiled an online video documentary exploring the phenomenon.
And then there's Carl Sagan, the famous astronomer and writer who passed away 16 years ago this month. He helped persuade NASA to turn the camera on its Voyager 1 deep-space probe back toward Earth in 1990, to capture a priceless picture of our "pale blue dot" as a speck in outer space.
"There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world," Sagan wrote. "To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
Amen.
You can watch a video about the pale blue dot, or a brand-new animation that brings Sagan's words to life. These sobering moments from space serve as today's offering from the Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar, which highlights views of our planet every day from now until Christmas. Click on the links below for more moments:
- 2012 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar
- Day 1: A fantastic Chinese fan
- Day 2: Satellite shows a Grander Canyon
- Day 3: Typhoon stirs awe — and alarm
- Day 4: Glittering nighttime view of Riyadh
- Day 5: Night lights shine on 'Black Marble'
- Day 6: Holy sites seen at night
- Day 7: Blue Marble still leaves its mark
- Day 8: Satellites look into a volcano's hell
- Day 9: Jack Frost nipping at Alaska's nose
- Day 10: Cosmonaut looks down on peaks
- Day 11: Earth looms above moonwalker
- Day 12: Skytree casts shadow on Tokyo
- Day 13: Aurora sets stage for meteor show
- Day 14: Apollo's last look at Earthrise
- 2011 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar
- 2010 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with Cosmic Log as well as NBCNews.com's other science and space news coverage, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered via email. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about dwarf planets and the search for new worlds.
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My thoughts are with the families losing children in the Connecticut shooting. As a father myself I cannot imagine the pain these families are dealing with right now.
How ironic that our planet looks so "peaceful" from that distance. If anybody from out of space would be "visiting" this planet, they would just have a closer look, and they would probably pass, moving on to another one that would not be so violent!!!
Horrible tragedy but sadly the human race seems to have this inbred imbalance between incredibly good and overwhelmingly bad. The "good" sadly does not make for news except on occasion.
The planet overall would really be much better off without human's. Fact is there is not ONE good thing which human's have done for our wonderful abode.
I for one do not think we deserve to live here.
I'm not inclined to romanticize our planet that way. What survives is what lives here. In times past, it's been dinosaurs, trilobites, grasses, bony fish, enormous dragonflies, whatever. The first aerobic bacteria wiped out the rest of life on Earth at the time. Elephants are incredibly destructive to their environments. It's all relative.
Earth is in no danger of going away any time soon. The main concern for us is the continuance of our civilization, not destroying the planet. Even if the worst of the climate change predictions comes true, there will still be plenty of species to pick up the pieces after we've killed each other off over dwindling resources.
@Blackbird
You're free to leave anytime you wish. In the meantime, I'll sit back and enjoy this wonderful blue oasis in the vast inky blackness of space.
"You're free to leave anytime you wish." If that's not the most pedestrian retort I've ever heard...
Anyway, even if Blackbird's comment was accepted as an axiomatic truth, what would be the point of the Earth if we weren't populating it? It would just be sitting there, unscathed, untouched.
I say enjoy it while you can. Humans have had a nice, long run as it is (nice is a relative term in this context).
Take a look at the link in the article, the "Overview Effect." It speaks to the challenge our species has of getting outside our ego self and understanding our collective need to care for one another and, especially, the planet that has given us life. The short movie is a tremendous collection of wisdom from those who have been fortunate enough to experience the connected reality of our existence from space.
I don't agree with Blackbird's statement at all, but seriously dude - this has got to be the most anthropocentric statement I have ever read in my entire life.
We are not the center of the universe, and someday our species will go extinct. When that happens, life will go on, and the universe at large won't miss us at all. But that doesn't mean that in the billions of years prior to our existence, and in the billions of years that will come after we pass that the Earth, universe, or life at large is "pointless" without us.
The Earth was in perfect balance before we arrived. Indeed, "eat or be eaten" was, and still is the rule, but we brought organized violence on a global scale that completely destroys any sense of balance at all. We are apparently the only organism capable of vengeance - and that is proving to be our collective downfall.
I understand why you would think that, but can you answer my original question: What would the point of the earth be? Yes, other species would be healthier and the environment would be cleaner, but remember, the earth has had a couple ice ages where everything has frozen over, demolishing almost all walks of life. So while humans are unarguably detrimental to to the health of the earth, we won't be populating this place much longer - whether it be self inflicted or from a natural phenomena.
@AG99, Nothing is more destructive to the planet than man, other than a meteor. We pollute our water, our air, our land, and kill off more species of life that share this world with us.
As for the comment someone made about aliens who might happen by... I think most would probably move on to a more hospitable rest stop. Looking at how we get along with each other, I don't think outsiders would feel at all welcome.
Go light up another joint pal, and let me know when you're ready to man up and start tackling some issues.
I suspect smaller fish feel the same way about sharks...evolution produces what it produces, and we're part of it.
And remember, in a billion years or so (assuming that whatever humans have become, don't have both the ability and inclination to alter this process by then), the Sun will leave the Main Sequence, and enter the red giant phase, rendering Earth quite sterile, if not destroying it completely.
Nature's a (female dog)...
The original question was almost rhetorical, because newsflash: there probably is no point. Every "point" that one can raise for existence derives almost exclusively from a theological viewpoint or argument, which is entirely subjective and based on zero evidence no matter which one you adhere to.
Science observes the universe for what it is, and nothing more. It isn't concerned with finding out the "point" or "meaning" of existence, and for all intents and purposes there most likely is not one. It leaves that to the mindless sheeple that argue about that very topic all day long.
We are here now. We used to not be here. And at some point in the future, we will not be here again. The Earth is not "better" or "worse" with or without us - we are a product of evolution just as everything else is. If we nuke ourselves to extinction, then we are an evolutionary failure. If we overpopulate, pollute, and destroy our environment such that it is unsustainable for us - again, we are a failure. Whether we live or die is dependent upon our own actions, but other then that, wondering what the "point" of it all is - well, forgive the pun, but it's utterly and completely pointless.
Good response, Eric. Thank you.
Sometimes it would be nice to stop this planet and get off if just to escape the delusionals for one day.
Sometimes it would be nice if weirdos like you got off this planet.
It's hard to believe that something so beautiful can host something so evil.
Everything looks perfect from far away
Queue Kathy Mattea's 'From A Distance'....Yes I know Bette Midler's is more well-known, I like Mattea's.
My prayer is added to those who pray for the families of this tragedy. Ty Alan.. Amen
A planet without people... no way... We are not the center of the Universe... I know what you meant. We should not be so prideful of our existence that we forget we are a part of it... BUT We ARE HERE and it is us who give this reality meaning. The atom does not "seek" us it is us who seek to understand the atom... The reason why we have a "perspective on this planet is because we look beyond our site and turned the telescopes on us. In this sense we are the center of it...
Even in Christianity "God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son." Not the world itself (earth) but those who live upon it. We seek for meaning, order.. Scientist look for the "Grand Unified Theory." We should not cease to try to work together.. even if it is an uphill battle.. Never cease to love (and may get hurt), Sacrifice (and may get no result), give (and may get not thanks).
We are human.. we save the forest, the tiger, the elephant, the whale.. not the other way around...
"The pale blue dot." is only awesome, mysterious, beautiful, terror filled, wonderful because we are here... We know it's true because this is why we blog, write, paint, sing, because we are inspired by the earth and EVERYTHING that lives upon it.
Jesus said: "I willingly lay down my life.."
Carl Sagan said: "We are truly made of Star Stuff"
Nuff Said.
Pray to your invisible friend till you explode. It still will never make a difference. Sagan was right. We are star stuff. We are also Apes who evolved without the assistance of an eternal cosmic dictator. Jesus died for sedition against the Roman government, and he isn't coming back. He was a common criminal and a delusional Jewish Rabbi. When he said that The kingdom of god would come before his generation was passed, he lied. So now he's both a delusional liar and a criminal. Good riddance! Many pastors and ministers are today coming out of the closet because they cannot continue, in good conscience, to lie to their paritioners. It is about time that all men of conscience abandon this foolish nonsense. Such ignorance can only serve as a detriment to the advancement of civilization and a threat to humanity.
We are human.. we save the forest, the tiger, the elephant, the whale.. not the other way around...
It is because of us humans on this planet that the rain forests are being cut down for more room, the tigers, elephants and the whales were almost gone into extinction. The humans are destroying our own and ONLY home in this universe.
What species are you?
Unfortunatly, the same as you. Humans are the most destructive of species on this Earth.
We may have "caused" it... but there are those that care... We are all part of the HUMAN race. The Dolphin (as the scientist say) after a million years did not put on the "land suit" to understand humans but we put on the SCUBA to understand them.. How can you down the human race?, Godless bob spoke of no faith but If all you feel that Humans have no worth and we are "insignificant" in the Universe then why blog? Why speak of that you believe or not believe if it doesn't exist.. if it doesn't matter?
You are typifying the very reason that massacre took place.. a man felt that, decided that life, his mom's , the children, the teachers and even his own have no value. As soon as we as people put value to human life then these thing will become a rarity. That is why I'm a Christian... I see the value of people... even my friends list on the vine have people on it that don't necessarily agree with my view But respect me as a person... the in their own way give me value... Tel me vine what gives us Humans value?
... Why do we have "vets" to care for animals... Nature does not have hospitals?
Why are we "wasting" our time in Churches, schools, space if we are no more important than the atoms that make us... Why seek to climb a mountain or explore a unknown land? Maybe... just maybe (that includes evolutionist) we have a purpose yet to be discovered.
I think the coverage of these mass shootings encourage others to commit similar crimes. It says to anyone who feels they've been wronged, who feels they are ignored, that if you do something horrific, you can get everyone's attention. You can make everything stop and be about you.
As terrible as this crime was, I think we have to resist the temptation to know every little detail and make it a national event. Let the community and families mourn in private.
The overview effect.
I think we should focus on what a types of space stations we should consider as a replacement for the iss now!! And how we will put it or them into what orbit(s). I for one think multiple space station are in order, with different mission lengths. Some should be all but premanant, say 2-six smaller manned stations in geo synch orbit that serve mostly as observation posts, camera tripods, comm relay stations for both terrestial AND deep space network relay points, that way some revenue is generated from say att and hbo, FOR EXAMPLE. But also either one or two LARGE movable 20-50 year stations with multi purpose research as the primary but also commercial/special tourist as a secondary mission, and then, here is the clincher....a big multiuse space port type of station as a way point for lunar and beyond that covers govt,commercial,industrial,tourism, you name it placed out side earths main natural protection orbits. If we don't start now, we are headed once again to one of those periods were we grind our wheels, like having plenty of willing astrounauts and no materials, or materials and no launch vehicles, we must break this cycle of long periods of stagnation, the one between apollo and the shuttle should of taught us a lesson about planning already, but we did not learn. So here we are with no shuttles and a nice space station. soon we will have launch vehicles but no station....I think most reasonable people see the pattern of stupidity that is about to cost america it's lead in forward technology. I will not reiterate the importance of forward technology nor it's real value in terms of quality of life. I will, for the bazillionth time (yea I know not very scientific of a term) reiterate that every country on earth envies our lead, and the success it has brought us. They ALL have every aspiration to surpass us as the world leaders in forward technology. One is closer than any have ever gotten and it does not help to deny and say the likes of "yea but they are all so far behind they will never catch up let alone surpass". Complacency is not an option. Let' quite choosing it. NOW is the time for us all to push forward into the fray our ideas for the next space station(s).
You have some of mine, are there others that agree or disagree? and why. Let's get the debate going asap. Let us tell the govt what WE want. Let's make a good set of decisions pragmatically. Let's push the politicians out of the way. And let's avoid these silly periods of do noting science that we seem to be set up for right around the corner.
"I think we should focus on what a types of space stations we should consider as a replacement for the iss now!! And how we will put it or them into what orbit(s). I for one think multiple space station are in order..."
Google "Bigelow Aerospace" I'm sure they'll be happy to supply any of several models to serious customers, government (and not just US government) or private.
I suspect ILC Dover will also step in, if that market develops...
We look at the pale blue earth. Streaked with clouds. We can not see ourselves down there. A Telescopic view will not help us. It takes more than our eyes to see who we really are. It takes loving parents to encourage us to see who we are. Until that happens no one will really know what it will take to set him or her lose to inflict misery on others. We can do it with bullets or unkind words or looks. Our gender, our hair color, our disposition all determined before we were born. We are only left with that choice. To choose life above all else.
I think Canada can lay claim to having at least one truly decent human being. Congratulations, Jack, I think you have closer approached human potential than the vast majority of us could ever claim. Weapons aren't the answer, empathy is. Empathy takes great courage, weapons require none at all.
Very nice little article Alan. A refreshing perspective. Thanks.
I am disturbed to realize that a person who is bright enough to be selected to live in space as part of the Space Station Freedom Crew,is still a slave to the dogmatic, who believe that there is a god to whom he can pray, and assume that it makes any difference whatsoever. A personal god who tells you with whom you can sleep, and in what position, what food you can eat, what fabrics you can wear, and a god who can condemn you to everlasting damnation just for your manner of thinking. This god who cannot be found in times of such tragedy as we have just witnessed. What unmitigated stupidity!!! To quote, "Do not seek god in places where he is needed most, for if you did not bring him, he isn't there". Damn, people!! Try thinking for a change!! Of course, believing doesn't require thinking, does it?
Ya, he should have just said, 'Wow, Connecticut.. that sucks"
(I actually totally agree with you, godless_bob, but time and place, etc.)
I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know. Epicurus
Epicurus
That Epicurus was a smart fellow, no doubt. But evil is a concept of man, just as God is. These killers discharge energy they have been suppressing for a long time - much of their (usually young) lives. It would be better to understand and acknowledge how and why it happens, if possible, than to argue about badness or goodness, let alone assigning control and intention to some imaginary deity.
Bob: Can you either prove or disprove the existence of a "superior entity"? Neither can I. Leaves me with the only rational alternative - being agnostic. Your's is an emotional conclusion, yet you entreat others "Damn, people!! Try thinking for a change!!" I see this constantly on such blogs - people screaming at each other to 'think', when the author of the screaming simply cannot discriminate between 'feeling' and 'thinking' - no more than they can discriminate between 'wants' and 'needs'. Perhaps critical thinking is dying a slow but certain death.
SDN - To your comment, I can only say that we are all agnostic when we actually examine the proposition. However the x-tian will tell me that he knows beyond a reasonable doubt that his god and jesus (the christ/annointed one) exists and that the Earth is only 10,000 years old. What astounds me is that he doesn't look beyond his bible to find that his god (Yahweh) is a human created anthromorphization of a meteorological phenonmena, a storm god. He feels that knowledge is evil and he is right to the extent that knowledge will destroy his delusion. We are seeing this more and more every day as people are being enlightened to the reality of what we have been taught. While none of us can know whether any gods exist, we do know that all of the gods to date are man-made and false, therefore it is our responsibility to reject that which is an affront to our rational sensibilities. Remember, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. All knowledge must be substantiated with evidence or it is not knowledge.
Sorry, I spelled phenomena wrong. But further on the "Superior Entity" question, that in no way implies that the superior entity is supernatural. I am fairly sure that we are not alone in the universe, but we will never know their level of advancement until we encounter them. The possibility of encountering other life forms is one of the reasons the human race seeks to explore new worlds. It is an exciting and rewarding adventure.
"I am disturbed to realize that a person who is bright enough to be selected to live in space as part of the Space Station Freedom Crew,is still a slave to the dogmatic, who believe that there is a god to whom he can pray, and assume that it makes any difference whatsoever..."
Why should that disturb you? 'Do you have religious beliefs?' never has been a filtering criteria for anyone who goes into space. Without active exclusion (which would be illegal...and leave you with precious few candidates), there will be such people, just as in any other profession. There's nothing sacred (if you will) about the International Space Station* in that respect...
* Oh, and it hasn't been 'Space Station Freedom,' since the early 1990's...
And as an Agnostic, I am willing to entertain the prospect (as recent events, if not much of history suggests) that if God exists, He/She/It/They is, if not malevolent, at least indifferent...maybe it's a necessity that must come with our having free will.
But I lose no sleep over it.
I think from being here on earth, we all have a pretty good perspective of what happened.
Enough of the picture taking, this is getting ridiculous. Aren't these astronauts supposed to be conducting some science experiments? Every day they're posting more and more pictures, what the hell?
Hey Stupid:
Do you work 24/7? Do you think these guys should not get any down time? What the hell is wrong with you?
You truly are a weirdo
Oh.....good one!!
Ok, so you missed the fact that the picture was taken in 2011? And that the astronaut that took the picture and made the comments isn't actually ON the station at this time?
This is what happens when the sheep vote for Obama..... Never fear though sheep - your fearless leader shed a tear on TV because he can feel your pain.
Yeah, that must be it.. thanks, Perfesser Shytbreath
Obama doesn't want people to protect themselves. Now only criminals get guns. Had this school been armed, outcome would have been different. Be prepared for the Obama anti-hun crusaders to get rolling.