Apollo 8

Discovering Earth

Earthrise from Apollo 8, AS08-14-2383. Image Credit: NASA/JSC/ASU/Apollospace

“We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth” – Bill Anders, Apollo 8, “Earthrise” photographer

Above, the first photograph of an Earthrise in black and white, and moments later, the first color photograph of Earthrise as seen with human eyes.

On December 21, 1968 humanity left the comforting confines of home on a journey to Earth’s nearest neighbor. On their way, the Apollo 8 astronauts came to see all that has ever been as a thumbnail in endless space. The first photograph of the whole Earth as seen by human beings appears below. Most of South America is visible at bottom center. North America (upper left) is mostly obscured by clouds, with Florida and Mexico visible. Upper right is western Africa.

First whole Earth seen by […]