“The Overview Effect”: 5 Astronauts Explain What It Means to See Earth From Space

We are all crew on spaceship earth

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

The phenomenon is called the “Overview Effect”.

When astronauts first see our planet from space, they report an overwhelming sense of euphoria and the futility of human conflict. Some even break down in tears at the sight of our planet alone in space.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center have studied quotes from astronauts to better understand the emotions astronauts commonly recount. The researchers believe that psychology should be factored into long-term space missions.

The quotes elicited themes like as oneness, immensity, connectivity, perception, and, in general, a sense of an overpowering, life-changing experience.

Here is what we can learn from five astronauts on seeing Earth for the first time from space:

#1 A powerful change

“When you go around the Earth in an hour and a half, you begin to recognize that your identity is with that whole thing. That makes a change, it comes through to you so powerfully that you’re the sensing element for Man.” Russell “Rusty” Schweikart, Apollo 9 astronaut