How 50 Years of Climate Change Have Transformed the Appearance of 'Blue Marble"

NASA's iconic "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth is now juxtaposed with a new image captured 50 years later, showcasing significant alterations to our planet's surface.

The "Blue Marble," the first comprehensive photograph of Earth taken from space, marked a pivotal moment in how humanity perceived its home. Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, aboard Apollo 17, reflected on this fragility as they journeyed towards the Moon, saying, "If there ever was a fragile-appearing piece of blue in space, it's the Earth right now." On December 7, 1972, humanity had its inaugural view of the entire planet, forever altering our perspective. Schmitt noted the lights of Southern California about an hour and a half into their flight, remarking how human-made illumination competed with the stars.

As the Apollo 17 crew—commander Eugene Cernan, command module pilot Ronald Evans, and lunar module pilot Harrison "Jack" Schmitt—observed their home recede, Cernan commented, "The clouds seem to be very artistic, very picturesque." This moment encapsulated Earth's beauty and vulnerability, adrift in the vast Universe without any indication of other life forms. They grasped the innate changes occurring on our planet, driven primarily by humanity. While geological processes shift landmasses imperceptibly over time, human influences like urbanization, deforestation, and pollution have visibly transformed the planet.

Jennifer Levasseur, curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, noted the extraordinary clarity and brightness of the images taken with a specially modified Hasselblad camera designed for space conditions. Its adaptations allowed astronauts to navigate the peculiarities of photographing from space without a direct viewfinder. Planned meticulously into the mission objectives, photography was a priority, especially since previous missions hadn't fully captured Earth's entirety. Five hours and twenty minutes into the launch, the astronauts prepared to sleep but were caught in awe as they glimpsed the planet. "I suppose we're seeing as 100% full Earth as we'll ever see," Cernan stated, highlighting the uniqueness of that experience. The iconic Blue Marble image was captured approximately 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) from Earth, bathed in sunlight.

The crew's banter continued as they observed Earth's wonders—the ocean and land below—during a moment of tranquility in their journey. While previous Apollo missions had presented Earth from partial views, the Blue Marble revealed a stunning, fully illuminated globe, influencing many aspects of environmental consciousness. A half-century later, on December 7, 2022, precisely at the same time as the original, a new "Blue Marble" was captured by a satellite orbiting one million miles away. This modern image, composed of twelve photographs taken within a brief span, exhibits noticeable changes to Earth's surface, primarily attributed to global warming. Among the stark differences observed is the significant shrinking of the Antarctic ice sheet, a crucial indicator of climate change. The Sahara Desert has expanded, and forests, such as those in the Sahel, have diminished markedly, signaling a shift from greenery to desert landscapes.

Captured by NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), which has constantly monitored the sunlit side of Earth since 2015, the satellite provides high-resolution images, recording changes in the planet's surface. As advancements in technology allow for improved imaging, scientists can analyze various environmental factors, including cloud properties, aerosol distribution, and vegetation health. Such comprehensive data helps illuminate the ongoing transformations on our planet. In addition to environmental changes, the last five decades have witnessed significant human development, urban sprawl, and increased shipping activity across Earth's oceans, evident in satellite images that capture illumination on the dark side of the planet. Wildfires have also surged in frequency, highlighting the direct impact of human activity. The Blue Marble not only influenced environmental awareness but also fostered a deeper consideration of humanity's place in the cosmos. Astronauts often describe experiencing the "overview effect," a heightened state of awareness regarding our interconnectedness, and the fragility of life on Earth. Helen Sharman, the UK's first astronaut, vividly reminisced about viewing Earth from space in 1991, where the planet appeared as a radiant blue orb set against the backdrop of darkness. Her experience, like many others, underscored the realization of Earth's vulnerability and the thinness of its atmosphere.

Reflecting on both images taken fifty years apart, experts emphasize the changes in Earth's ecosystems and the interconnections between regions—highlighting how the view from above fosters a broader understanding of environmental issues, moving beyond individual localized perspectives. While technological advancements allow for enhanced imaging capabilities from afar, nothing will replace the emotional impact of images taken by human hands, as Levasseur noted. She looks forward to future missions, like Artemis II in 2026, hoping for another opportunity to capture Earth through the eyes of humans once more. Ultimately, the Blue Marble stands as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility for the planet, serving as both a unifying symbol and a call to action in facing the pressing environmental challenges of our time. Reporting by BBC
Edited by Olatunbosun Ibrahim.

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Apollo disease in Nigeria is an eye disease often caused by bacteria or viruses that are activated by sun ultraviolet rays. Interestingly, the source of contact was traced back to space, specifically Mars, in 1772. Research suggests that a comet that year released particles that interacted with the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the mutation of these microorganisms. Since then, exposure to intense sunlight in Nigeria has been linked to the outbreak of Apollo disease, which can lead to severe vision impairment if left untreated. Early detection and proper medical care are crucial in preventing the spread of this disease.
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