It took me a minute to realize I was actually looking at the earth in the video. From this view it seems so foreign, not even like pictures we have all seen such as the one shown below the video. It’s hard for me to consider that we all live on that thing they are looking at, and certainly makes me take a step back and consider things from a broader perspective. Everyone, no mater what region or country, has to share the same global space.
Referring to the video, I completely agree with you, Paige in that the earth looks completely abstract and different from what we’re all so used to seeing. I think it’s also incredible to think that these were the first images seen by human eyes of our planet. Referring to the picture below the video, my first thought upon seeing the picture was that earth looks incredibly fragile and small. This view of the earth really makes you reevaluate what we’re doing to our planet with all of the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that we are constantly exposing to our planet and how harmful it is to not only us, but to earth because it is so fragile.
I agree with you both – the video image was interesting. It was a humbling experience. We have so much media now that creates these huge impressive images, sometimes it is important to step back and see how it was viewed for the first time. It must have been so different. The video made me realize how much has changed in the last 40 or so years. Our perspective of the Earth must be so different than the 3 astronauts. We now view the earth through a fairly secular lens, where they felt like they were witnessing creation. While they must have been so excited, I feel like many of us are more concerned, as we get sentimental about the Earth and our impact on it. This video was a great reminder for me of how much our perspective of the Earth must have changed over time.
This video shown a very limited point of view on the Earth, and I agree that this view was abstract and unclear. It looks completely different from the picture shown below. If it is not shown with the audio background about the astronauts’ speech, I actually could not tell it is the Earth, where we are living on. From some of the ancient myths, the Earth was thought to be square shape with a circular shape heaven. Although those thoughts had been disapproved by the pictures took from the Space, Apollo’s mission achieved that human beings could look at our entire planet by our own eyes from the point of view on the Moon. It is really incredible impression of the Earth. Furthermore, the Earth looks tiny compare to background of the Space. Although human beings was sometimes thought to be very powerful in terms of controlling our own life, other species’ life, and even the nature, we are all sharing this tiny planet. Should we think more about protection of the Earth for both human beings and other species of life? What factors actually influence our life on the Earth, and alter the global environment?
I agree with all of you that I would not have even recognized this image of the Earth had it not been for the commentary. I also agree that it is interesting to note how our view of the Earth has changed over time. For these astronauts, seeing the Earth as a whole for the first time must have been an extremely powerful experience. Being able to see the Earth from the outside makes one recognize, as many of you have said, that we all share this relatively small space. Earth is a culmination of all of the natural factors that make life possible, an extremely rare coincidence, and thus, it is something that we need to protect. This becomes especially powerful, especially when contrasted with the hostility and the vastness of space that surrounds our planet. Although we know that the Earth has limited resources and that is all we get, we seem to often be in denial of this. Perhaps keeping in mind this view of the Earth from space would reignite the realization how important it is to take care of this tiny and fragile planet that we all share.
Taking in all that has been said, I agree with the limited point of view and unrecognizable image of Earth from the video. However, something that I believe really stood out is the contrast between the two images when viewed consecutively. One, dull and plain, and the other full of vibrant colors. Another significant feeling I received from viewing Earthrise was the vast amount of space that encompassed us. Compared with the vastness of it’s surroundings, Earth seemed almost insignificant. However, it’s bright colors and portrayal of life made it stand out despite it’s size. Viewing these images really made me appreciate being on Earth, and the time period I am in to which holds information like this that helps me appreciate it.
I had not seen the video before, it certainly offered an interesting and new perspective. The Earthrise image reminds me of another image, the “Pale Blue Dot” image taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft as it exited the solar system. Both images show the Earth against the vast expanse of space, a composition that really puts our planet in perspective. It’s amazing to think that the entirety of recorded history, every great accomplishment and failure, has occurred on what can appear to be such a small and isolated place. I think of how people have been fighting and warring over tiny sections of this planet for ages, yet from the appropriate distance these events seem petty.
I didn’t think much of the video. Had I not read in an earlier comment that it was the earth in the small, low-res video, I wouldn’t have realized it. Because of the vantage point of the photo being from the moon, I would have assumed (due to the lack of colour) that it was the moon being orbited and filmed. The colour photo has more of an impact on me – as someone who has debated (for) the existence of life on other planets, seeing our own planet as such a small area compared to the vast expanses of the solar system, galaxy, and universe really makes me think (as bgibson) how petty our squabbles and events on the planet are, in the grand scheme of things.
After watching the video and looking at the picture, I realized how small and insignificant we really are. Being a part of this vast universe, we truly are just a grain of sand on the beach. The video was not really clear and I didn’t really see the Earth. However, after looking at the photo, a lot came into my mind. At first, it seemed like an ordinary photo, however, I believe there is a deeper meaning behind it. Human beings face challenges everyday, however, we get so concerned with our own challenge that we seem to forget that the Earth itself also face its challenges. We need to remember that together, we share the planet and we are all citizens of the Earth, therefore, it is important to work together to rise out of the darkness or challenges that the Earth face. From afar, Earth looks fragile and the blue and white gives off a feeling of calm and peace. In comparison to the moon’s surface which is rough and grey, it seems to foreshadow what will become of the Earth if we were to continue damaging nature and ruining this blue and white sphere. Earth to us is very big, however, the photo offers an insight of how small we really are in-comparison to its surrounding therefore, I believe the photo is reminding us that everything is limited (resources etc.) and because we share such a small space, we all need to do our part to care for our surroundings.
It must have been an extraordinary experience for the crew of Apollo 18 to cast the first human gaze upon our planet. The ensuing excitement of the people receiving the images and message, back on Earth, probably made them feel like they were aboard the shuttle themselves, verifying for themselves, our species divine place in the universe upon the most glorious of planets. Finally, people had an abstraction of their home within the heavenly context of their lessons and dreams.
For you and I, the image is merely glorious and peaceful in abstract and necessarily, in potential. We know a bit more than our predecessors about the goings-on of the inhabitants of that peaceful planet. We know a bit more about the impacts of a “divine right” or anthropogenic mentality.
The Earthrise image holistically shows what we stand to lose should we continue to degrade our environment and our home.
I’m joining the conversation a bit late, I’m afraid; and so a lot has already been said. Not wanting to post something redundant, it occurred to me while watching this footage that, within the last month, facebook was flooded with dialogue about the discovery of a new planet roughly the size of earth, orbiting a star like our own sun. While some commented on how awe-some the discovery was, most responses were morosely sarcastic, riddled with irony and bitterness: ie “oh phew we’re saved” or “no wonder harper poo-poos the kyoto protocol. we’ve got a backup plan(et)!” It’s compelling, I think, that the discovery of a new earth-size planet orbiting a distant star triggered a new wave of commentary about our OWN planet. I may be taking the conversation on an unwanted tangent, but I’d be curious to hear people’s thoughts on this anyhow…
Ooops – i apologize for posting this as a “reply,” which was not my intention … i’m clearly in the infancy stages of navigating through this technologic infrastructure…
Like many others have said in their replies, I did not realize that the video is filming the Earth at my first glance. I guess the main reason is because that I am already very used to the photos or portraits of the blue planet we are living in and without thinking much about how and why do I even have a chance to take a look of these. Their “high-definition” photos and videos may seem very rough by this time, but for sure their contribution (that seems to be very abstract and small now) definitely brought incredible information to scientists and human in their studies and understanding of the place we are living in. I think the Earthrise video and image greatly reminds me of how these contributions accumulate to our study of environmental history of Earth.
That’s not really a perspective we get to see our planet. One reason why the astronauts probably read Genesis: a view that previously only God held(?) It reminded me that out of the trillions of planets out there, Earth has so far been the only one that sustains life. We definitely need to protect it.
The view of Earth from space really brings home the fact that Earth’s biosphere and everything living in it, including human civilization, is unique in the universe (as far as we know). Unfortunately biodiversity is not given a high monetary value in the global economic system. This results in species and habitats falling under the wheels as we push towards more population, more production and more resource use. It will take a major shift in sentiment and cooperation across national boundaries to preserve the treasure of our unique biosphere.
This perspective of viewing the earth gives a different impression of the planet. Standing on earth, we can only see limited parts of the earth at a glance, but to step away from the earth and look at the earth from far in the space allows for a rounded view of the earth, to see it as a complete object. The realization comes to people now do not think of the earth as merely a vast habitat, but also thinking that the earth is fragile and small as compared to the universe.
As a few others have said, I found it difficult to decipher what exactly I was looking at due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the video. To me, it was more profound to look at the picture below the video while listening to the audio recording of the excerpt from Genesis. It is astounding how little we actually know of what could exist in the universe, and a little alarming to think that despite the massive expanses of the universe, the existence of our entire species depends on the little blue and green ball in the picture. It is amazing to compare the unlimited possibilities of both human imagination and the universe to the dependence on what, relatively speaking, is an inconsequential orb. What appears so unimportant on a universal scale IS our entire existence.
I have to admit the fact that I didn’t recognize the “white sphere” the astronaut is filming is actually the Earth at first. Our Planet Earth is very fragile. The Gulf Oil Spill disaster has affected our environment and ecosystems, in particular, the very oceans that all of our Marine Life live and thrive in (the Great Dolphins, Whales, Sharks, Stingrays, Fish and other creatures that emerge from the ocean). It has changed the Gulf of Mexico coast forever. Our oceans that were once clear and unpolluted before the intervention of man have oil dispersed in them for miles and miles along the coast. The very animals that we share this planet with have to suffer from the oil that covered them. How can we sit back and watch this happen. As in the book “A Society Gone Forever,” by Kimberly Day that reads: “We must wake up, we must wake up, before our fragile Planet is gone forever.”
This video broadcast is pretty spectacular. It is amazing to think that we all inhabit that sphere they are looking at. It really makes you think about the broader picture and makes life seem pretty incredible. Photos from space are fairly common now, but I would suppose that this video would have been even more astounding when it was first broadcasted. It really would have been astounding to see the Earth from that perspective and I cannot even begin to imagine what the crew was thinking seeing that for the first time. It is amazing to see the planet we live on from a different perspective than the one we get everyday while on the surface. Seeing this video reminds me how lucky we are to inhabit such a magnificent planet and that we really need to work to protect it
Earthrise makes me feel like I am so small and that the planet is beyond my comprehension. It also makes me feel arrogant and selfish as the form of the planet is gradually revealed, because I know, had I watch the broadcast on Christmas Day in 1968, I would have thought that this was a great accomplishment- nature is powerful, but humans are even greater…nothing can escape from the curiosity as well as the intelligence that aids to resolve our curiosity. In fact, I think this is the general mentality humans have about the planet, about the environment and nature. Somehow we are above it and nature doesn’t just exist, it can only be “created” through us. Without our existence and needs, nature is irrelevant. The astronauts’ voices reciting Genesis adds to this feeling.
But, how are we able to say that when knowing perfectly that even if humans were to disappear…our planet would still be here?
Earthrise has reminded me not to ever think we know everything and when we think we know something, there are still greater pieces yet to be seen surrounding that single puzzle piece we see.
The video looks more like the current images of the moon than the earth. The image of the earth vibrant and blue is the one I am accustomed to. The blue colour of the earth being a beacon of life in a galaxy where all the other planet look red or brown and have no life. I wish there had been a video of the second image of the earth rising out of the shadows
I’ve seen photos of Earth since I was grade 2. I’ve drawn pictures of Earth with my green and blue pencil crayons and i’ve made foam models of Earth for science class many times. I am so familiar with the looks of Earth but when i watched Earthrise …it seems so foreign. I will never see Earth for what it really is. I will never see it in its own natural space surrounded by darkness. Sometimes when I walk around campus, or in Richmond, I wonder ‘where we are’ in the universe. This idea of ‘Earth’ being one planet of the galaxy is so foreign and so unreal.
The beauty of Earth in the photo especially, is just breath-taking! When you look around, you’re surrounded by buildings, cars, and concrete roads. Everything about us has been so industrialized that we forget about the beauty of nature that also surrounds us and that provides us with the ground we walk on, the waters we swim in and the great mountains we snowboard on. The planet is so big and it offers so many things but somehow, the idea of ‘earth’ just slips my mind.
I agree with everyone’s opinion that the video shown looks almost nothing like the clear, glossy images of Earth that we expect to see in scientific journals or in the National Geographic. It actually appears more realistic, and life-like, instead of the overly computer-generated flawless pictures that we are used to seeing.
Images of Earth from space always remind me of how small our scales are compared to the whole universe. From space, the Earth is just a little blue and green ball, but from our perspective on Earth, the actual size of the planet we live on can be hard to comprehend.
And in my opinion at least, images of the Earth from space are some of the most beautiful images that exist. It’s rather awe-inspiring seeing it just floating in space – a good reminder about how small we are and how much we don’t actually know.
It is pretty interesting to look at pictures of Earth from another perspective because i hardly ever see pictures of Earth where it is smaller then the planets or stars that we are looking at. It is interesting to think that Earth supports so many lives and is our world yet when compared to so many other worlds it is small and insignificant. It just goes to show how looking through perspectives changes the way we look at things
This view and these words about our earth make it seem so young and so innocent. It’s important to remember the magnificence and wonder of the planet that we live on as the men on Apollo 8 did so many years ago. Our world is beautiful and this has made me appreciate it here and now. A good opening to the course – thanks!
Like others, I had difficulties to put into my mind the full image of Earth . However, while looking this video after couple times and even fast forwarding it, the Earths’ round shape can be appreciated and consequently I was able to observe part of its magnificence.
For me, is interesting how the astronauts resorted to a fragment of the Genesis, and therefore the need for a belief. From my perspective, the bigger picture in here is the idea of feeling something unknown and consequently new.
I agree with my classmates that it is difficult to tell that you’re looking at the earth in this video. It really does make you realize how big the earth is and how small we are. One can only imagine how these astronauts felt during this mission.
Like others, after viewing this video, I am at a greater appreciation for the beautiful planet we live in. I do not wish to comment on the belief aspect given by the astronauts; I am content enough to know and feel that our planet is special and we need to treat it appropriately with care and attention.
haduro, 
brenden, 
paige 11:29 am on January 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It took me a minute to realize I was actually looking at the earth in the video. From this view it seems so foreign, not even like pictures we have all seen such as the one shown below the video. It’s hard for me to consider that we all live on that thing they are looking at, and certainly makes me take a step back and consider things from a broader perspective. Everyone, no mater what region or country, has to share the same global space.
brandond 12:33 pm on January 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for making the first posting on here Paige! I was starting to get worried:)
sophiale 1:22 pm on January 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Referring to the video, I completely agree with you, Paige in that the earth looks completely abstract and different from what we’re all so used to seeing. I think it’s also incredible to think that these were the first images seen by human eyes of our planet. Referring to the picture below the video, my first thought upon seeing the picture was that earth looks incredibly fragile and small. This view of the earth really makes you reevaluate what we’re doing to our planet with all of the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that we are constantly exposing to our planet and how harmful it is to not only us, but to earth because it is so fragile.
jenniefrench 3:25 pm on January 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree with you both – the video image was interesting. It was a humbling experience. We have so much media now that creates these huge impressive images, sometimes it is important to step back and see how it was viewed for the first time. It must have been so different. The video made me realize how much has changed in the last 40 or so years. Our perspective of the Earth must be so different than the 3 astronauts. We now view the earth through a fairly secular lens, where they felt like they were witnessing creation. While they must have been so excited, I feel like many of us are more concerned, as we get sentimental about the Earth and our impact on it. This video was a great reminder for me of how much our perspective of the Earth must have changed over time.
danniz124 9:53 pm on January 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This video shown a very limited point of view on the Earth, and I agree that this view was abstract and unclear. It looks completely different from the picture shown below. If it is not shown with the audio background about the astronauts’ speech, I actually could not tell it is the Earth, where we are living on. From some of the ancient myths, the Earth was thought to be square shape with a circular shape heaven. Although those thoughts had been disapproved by the pictures took from the Space, Apollo’s mission achieved that human beings could look at our entire planet by our own eyes from the point of view on the Moon. It is really incredible impression of the Earth. Furthermore, the Earth looks tiny compare to background of the Space. Although human beings was sometimes thought to be very powerful in terms of controlling our own life, other species’ life, and even the nature, we are all sharing this tiny planet. Should we think more about protection of the Earth for both human beings and other species of life? What factors actually influence our life on the Earth, and alter the global environment?
msmith92 11:22 am on January 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree with all of you that I would not have even recognized this image of the Earth had it not been for the commentary. I also agree that it is interesting to note how our view of the Earth has changed over time. For these astronauts, seeing the Earth as a whole for the first time must have been an extremely powerful experience. Being able to see the Earth from the outside makes one recognize, as many of you have said, that we all share this relatively small space. Earth is a culmination of all of the natural factors that make life possible, an extremely rare coincidence, and thus, it is something that we need to protect. This becomes especially powerful, especially when contrasted with the hostility and the vastness of space that surrounds our planet. Although we know that the Earth has limited resources and that is all we get, we seem to often be in denial of this. Perhaps keeping in mind this view of the Earth from space would reignite the realization how important it is to take care of this tiny and fragile planet that we all share.
sharonshi 12:55 pm on January 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Taking in all that has been said, I agree with the limited point of view and unrecognizable image of Earth from the video. However, something that I believe really stood out is the contrast between the two images when viewed consecutively. One, dull and plain, and the other full of vibrant colors. Another significant feeling I received from viewing Earthrise was the vast amount of space that encompassed us. Compared with the vastness of it’s surroundings, Earth seemed almost insignificant. However, it’s bright colors and portrayal of life made it stand out despite it’s size. Viewing these images really made me appreciate being on Earth, and the time period I am in to which holds information like this that helps me appreciate it.
bgibson 10:12 pm on January 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I had not seen the video before, it certainly offered an interesting and new perspective. The Earthrise image reminds me of another image, the “Pale Blue Dot” image taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft as it exited the solar system. Both images show the Earth against the vast expanse of space, a composition that really puts our planet in perspective. It’s amazing to think that the entirety of recorded history, every great accomplishment and failure, has occurred on what can appear to be such a small and isolated place. I think of how people have been fighting and warring over tiny sections of this planet for ages, yet from the appropriate distance these events seem petty.
roypat 1:11 am on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I didn’t think much of the video. Had I not read in an earlier comment that it was the earth in the small, low-res video, I wouldn’t have realized it. Because of the vantage point of the photo being from the moon, I would have assumed (due to the lack of colour) that it was the moon being orbited and filmed. The colour photo has more of an impact on me – as someone who has debated (for) the existence of life on other planets, seeing our own planet as such a small area compared to the vast expanses of the solar system, galaxy, and universe really makes me think (as bgibson) how petty our squabbles and events on the planet are, in the grand scheme of things.
tsung18 10:55 am on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
After watching the video and looking at the picture, I realized how small and insignificant we really are. Being a part of this vast universe, we truly are just a grain of sand on the beach. The video was not really clear and I didn’t really see the Earth. However, after looking at the photo, a lot came into my mind. At first, it seemed like an ordinary photo, however, I believe there is a deeper meaning behind it. Human beings face challenges everyday, however, we get so concerned with our own challenge that we seem to forget that the Earth itself also face its challenges. We need to remember that together, we share the planet and we are all citizens of the Earth, therefore, it is important to work together to rise out of the darkness or challenges that the Earth face. From afar, Earth looks fragile and the blue and white gives off a feeling of calm and peace. In comparison to the moon’s surface which is rough and grey, it seems to foreshadow what will become of the Earth if we were to continue damaging nature and ruining this blue and white sphere. Earth to us is very big, however, the photo offers an insight of how small we really are in-comparison to its surrounding therefore, I believe the photo is reminding us that everything is limited (resources etc.) and because we share such a small space, we all need to do our part to care for our surroundings.
youngblutt 11:41 am on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It must have been an extraordinary experience for the crew of Apollo 18 to cast the first human gaze upon our planet. The ensuing excitement of the people receiving the images and message, back on Earth, probably made them feel like they were aboard the shuttle themselves, verifying for themselves, our species divine place in the universe upon the most glorious of planets. Finally, people had an abstraction of their home within the heavenly context of their lessons and dreams.
For you and I, the image is merely glorious and peaceful in abstract and necessarily, in potential. We know a bit more than our predecessors about the goings-on of the inhabitants of that peaceful planet. We know a bit more about the impacts of a “divine right” or anthropogenic mentality.
The Earthrise image holistically shows what we stand to lose should we continue to degrade our environment and our home.
hannahepperson 6:27 pm on January 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m joining the conversation a bit late, I’m afraid; and so a lot has already been said. Not wanting to post something redundant, it occurred to me while watching this footage that, within the last month, facebook was flooded with dialogue about the discovery of a new planet roughly the size of earth, orbiting a star like our own sun. While some commented on how awe-some the discovery was, most responses were morosely sarcastic, riddled with irony and bitterness: ie “oh phew we’re saved” or “no wonder harper poo-poos the kyoto protocol. we’ve got a backup plan(et)!” It’s compelling, I think, that the discovery of a new earth-size planet orbiting a distant star triggered a new wave of commentary about our OWN planet. I may be taking the conversation on an unwanted tangent, but I’d be curious to hear people’s thoughts on this anyhow…
hannahepperson 6:28 pm on January 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Ooops – i apologize for posting this as a “reply,” which was not my intention … i’m clearly in the infancy stages of navigating through this technologic infrastructure…
midara 5:40 pm on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Like many others have said in their replies, I did not realize that the video is filming the Earth at my first glance. I guess the main reason is because that I am already very used to the photos or portraits of the blue planet we are living in and without thinking much about how and why do I even have a chance to take a look of these. Their “high-definition” photos and videos may seem very rough by this time, but for sure their contribution (that seems to be very abstract and small now) definitely brought incredible information to scientists and human in their studies and understanding of the place we are living in. I think the Earthrise video and image greatly reminds me of how these contributions accumulate to our study of environmental history of Earth.
jonl 8:49 pm on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
That’s not really a perspective we get to see our planet. One reason why the astronauts probably read Genesis: a view that previously only God held(?) It reminded me that out of the trillions of planets out there, Earth has so far been the only one that sustains life. We definitely need to protect it.
hoskinso 9:29 pm on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The view of Earth from space really brings home the fact that Earth’s biosphere and everything living in it, including human civilization, is unique in the universe (as far as we know). Unfortunately biodiversity is not given a high monetary value in the global economic system. This results in species and habitats falling under the wheels as we push towards more population, more production and more resource use. It will take a major shift in sentiment and cooperation across national boundaries to preserve the treasure of our unique biosphere.
yitailiu 11:56 pm on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This perspective of viewing the earth gives a different impression of the planet. Standing on earth, we can only see limited parts of the earth at a glance, but to step away from the earth and look at the earth from far in the space allows for a rounded view of the earth, to see it as a complete object. The realization comes to people now do not think of the earth as merely a vast habitat, but also thinking that the earth is fragile and small as compared to the universe.
gpippus 10:28 pm on January 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
As a few others have said, I found it difficult to decipher what exactly I was looking at due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the video. To me, it was more profound to look at the picture below the video while listening to the audio recording of the excerpt from Genesis. It is astounding how little we actually know of what could exist in the universe, and a little alarming to think that despite the massive expanses of the universe, the existence of our entire species depends on the little blue and green ball in the picture. It is amazing to compare the unlimited possibilities of both human imagination and the universe to the dependence on what, relatively speaking, is an inconsequential orb. What appears so unimportant on a universal scale IS our entire existence.
randolph 11:08 pm on January 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I have to admit the fact that I didn’t recognize the “white sphere” the astronaut is filming is actually the Earth at first. Our Planet Earth is very fragile. The Gulf Oil Spill disaster has affected our environment and ecosystems, in particular, the very oceans that all of our Marine Life live and thrive in (the Great Dolphins, Whales, Sharks, Stingrays, Fish and other creatures that emerge from the ocean). It has changed the Gulf of Mexico coast forever. Our oceans that were once clear and unpolluted before the intervention of man have oil dispersed in them for miles and miles along the coast. The very animals that we share this planet with have to suffer from the oil that covered them. How can we sit back and watch this happen. As in the book “A Society Gone Forever,” by Kimberly Day that reads: “We must wake up, we must wake up, before our fragile Planet is gone forever.”
emilym 9:15 pm on January 11, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This video broadcast is pretty spectacular. It is amazing to think that we all inhabit that sphere they are looking at. It really makes you think about the broader picture and makes life seem pretty incredible. Photos from space are fairly common now, but I would suppose that this video would have been even more astounding when it was first broadcasted. It really would have been astounding to see the Earth from that perspective and I cannot even begin to imagine what the crew was thinking seeing that for the first time. It is amazing to see the planet we live on from a different perspective than the one we get everyday while on the surface. Seeing this video reminds me how lucky we are to inhabit such a magnificent planet and that we really need to work to protect it
jlin 2:36 am on January 12, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Earthrise makes me feel like I am so small and that the planet is beyond my comprehension. It also makes me feel arrogant and selfish as the form of the planet is gradually revealed, because I know, had I watch the broadcast on Christmas Day in 1968, I would have thought that this was a great accomplishment- nature is powerful, but humans are even greater…nothing can escape from the curiosity as well as the intelligence that aids to resolve our curiosity. In fact, I think this is the general mentality humans have about the planet, about the environment and nature. Somehow we are above it and nature doesn’t just exist, it can only be “created” through us. Without our existence and needs, nature is irrelevant. The astronauts’ voices reciting Genesis adds to this feeling.
But, how are we able to say that when knowing perfectly that even if humans were to disappear…our planet would still be here?
Earthrise has reminded me not to ever think we know everything and when we think we know something, there are still greater pieces yet to be seen surrounding that single puzzle piece we see.
congo96 3:16 pm on January 13, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The video looks more like the current images of the moon than the earth. The image of the earth vibrant and blue is the one I am accustomed to. The blue colour of the earth being a beacon of life in a galaxy where all the other planet look red or brown and have no life. I wish there had been a video of the second image of the earth rising out of the shadows
nytsuen 3:33 am on January 14, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’ve seen photos of Earth since I was grade 2. I’ve drawn pictures of Earth with my green and blue pencil crayons and i’ve made foam models of Earth for science class many times. I am so familiar with the looks of Earth but when i watched Earthrise …it seems so foreign. I will never see Earth for what it really is. I will never see it in its own natural space surrounded by darkness. Sometimes when I walk around campus, or in Richmond, I wonder ‘where we are’ in the universe. This idea of ‘Earth’ being one planet of the galaxy is so foreign and so unreal.
The beauty of Earth in the photo especially, is just breath-taking! When you look around, you’re surrounded by buildings, cars, and concrete roads. Everything about us has been so industrialized that we forget about the beauty of nature that also surrounds us and that provides us with the ground we walk on, the waters we swim in and the great mountains we snowboard on. The planet is so big and it offers so many things but somehow, the idea of ‘earth’ just slips my mind.
phoebe 5:50 pm on January 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree with everyone’s opinion that the video shown looks almost nothing like the clear, glossy images of Earth that we expect to see in scientific journals or in the National Geographic. It actually appears more realistic, and life-like, instead of the overly computer-generated flawless pictures that we are used to seeing.
natashap 5:06 pm on January 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Images of Earth from space always remind me of how small our scales are compared to the whole universe. From space, the Earth is just a little blue and green ball, but from our perspective on Earth, the actual size of the planet we live on can be hard to comprehend.
And in my opinion at least, images of the Earth from space are some of the most beautiful images that exist. It’s rather awe-inspiring seeing it just floating in space – a good reminder about how small we are and how much we don’t actually know.
eddietastic 2:41 pm on January 19, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It is pretty interesting to look at pictures of Earth from another perspective because i hardly ever see pictures of Earth where it is smaller then the planets or stars that we are looking at. It is interesting to think that Earth supports so many lives and is our world yet when compared to so many other worlds it is small and insignificant. It just goes to show how looking through perspectives changes the way we look at things
erikaw 12:18 am on January 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This view and these words about our earth make it seem so young and so innocent. It’s important to remember the magnificence and wonder of the planet that we live on as the men on Apollo 8 did so many years ago. Our world is beautiful and this has made me appreciate it here and now. A good opening to the course – thanks!
alyumam 1:46 am on January 24, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Like others, I had difficulties to put into my mind the full image of Earth . However, while looking this video after couple times and even fast forwarding it, the Earths’ round shape can be appreciated and consequently I was able to observe part of its magnificence.
For me, is interesting how the astronauts resorted to a fragment of the Genesis, and therefore the need for a belief. From my perspective, the bigger picture in here is the idea of feeling something unknown and consequently new.
brenden 5:12 pm on January 26, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I agree with my classmates that it is difficult to tell that you’re looking at the earth in this video. It really does make you realize how big the earth is and how small we are. One can only imagine how these astronauts felt during this mission.
haduro 9:12 pm on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Like others, after viewing this video, I am at a greater appreciation for the beautiful planet we live in. I do not wish to comment on the belief aspect given by the astronauts; I am content enough to know and feel that our planet is special and we need to treat it appropriately with care and attention.