Take a captivating journey through NASA’s throwback photos showcasing Earth’s magnificence. From the Moon’s shadow cast on the Blue Planet to Earth appearing as a tiny speck when viewed from Mars, these breathtaking images are timeless gems. Here are five such stunning pictures to enjoy:
1. Earth as Seen from Mars Captured by NASA’s Curiosity Rover, this decade-old image of Earth shines brighter than any star in the Martian night sky. Taken during the rover’s 529th Martian day, around 80 minutes after sunset, it remains one of the most fascinating photos of our planet.
2. Earth Darkened by the Moon’s Shadow This image, captured by NASA’s EPIC imager aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory, shows Earth partially darkened by the Moon’s shadow during the solar eclipse on October 14, 2023. The shadow is visible near Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. Crescent-Shaped Earth and Moon On September 18, 1977, Voyager 1 captured this stunning photo from 11.66 million kilometers away. Enhanced to balance Earth’s brightness with the Moon’s, this image was processed to highlight both celestial bodies.
4. Earth from Orbit Around the Moon NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this unique view of Earth rising over the lunar horizon. The composite image shows Earth from the orbiter’s perspective, with the center of the planet just off the coast of Liberia.
5. Earth – The ‘Pale Blue Dot’ Dubbed the ‘Pale Blue Dot,’ this iconic image is part of the first-ever solar system portrait taken by Voyager 1. Composed of 60 frames, Earth appears through green, blue, and violet filters, highlighting our home planet’s fragility and beauty.
