Thanks to Writer’s Almanac for reminding us that today marks the anniversary of the day in 1972 when astronauts in the spacecraft Apollo 17 made the images of the planet, 28,000 miles away, that have come to be known as “The Blue Marble.”
That the images forever changed the way we see ourselves in undeniable. That we’ve not more fully heeded the obvious lessons of that seeing is, sadly, equally undeniable.
Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Image by Reto Stöckli (land surface, shallow water, clouds). Enhancements by Robert Simmon (ocean color, compositing, 3D globes, animation). Data and technical support: MODIS Land Group; MODIS Science Data Support Team; MODIS Atmosphere Group; MODIS Ocean Group Additional data: USGS EROS Data Center (topography); USGS Terrestrial Remote Sensing Flagstaff Field Center (Antarctica); Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (city lights).
Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Image by Reto Stöckli (land surface, shallow water, clouds). Enhancements by Robert Simmon (ocean color, compositing, 3D globes, animation). Data and technical support: MODIS Land Group; MODIS Science Data Support Team; MODIS Atmosphere Group; MODIS Ocean Group Additional data: USGS EROS Data Center (topography); USGS Terrestrial Remote Sensing Flagstaff Field Center (Antarctica); Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (city lights).
Today, let’s remember—again—that we all float in space together on a single planet, Mother Earth, and renew ourselves to living every day with than in mind.
Still Learning To See 
John, I just posted this in my goodreads group 🙂 If I had to use an image to define the word “holy”, this would be it. One of the poignant parts of the Writers Almanac entry was this statement: “It was the last time that astronauts, not robots, were on a lunar mission – since then, no people have gotten far enough away from Earth to take a photo like it.”
As Emily says at the end of OUR TOWN, “Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you.” That’s why your blog constantly lifts my heart–there ARE those like you who spend their lives “realizing” the wonders of the planet. Thanks once again, John 🙂
Yes, and isn’t it interesting how for all of us we just sometimes get worn down by the lives we live to the point where we hardly feel the sun shining or see the smiles on others faces? I am, and always have been, an optimist, thanks in large part to my (other) mom who found joy in so much of life.
Truly stunning photos. There’s an important message here that most of us need to pay more attention to.
They are stunning. I still remember first seeing it 42 years ago. I know you remember those times too, so volatile and yet also full of hope for change. Still plenty of room to go for all of us!!
Amazing pictures. I didn’t know there was an anniversary for these on this date. I just knew there was one that Mom always mentioned on this day…Pearl Harbor, 12/7/41. I know that date was buried in her mind just as 9/11 is in ours. She told me that she was sitting at the kitchen table pregnant with me when she heard the news on radio!so, it is nice to have another anniversary to think of on this December 7th also. Love, Chica
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Yes! A lovely way to share that reminder 🙂