Earth from Above

"The Overview Effect is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our planet. We need to work together to preserve it for future generations."

- Kathryn Sullivan, Space Shuttle astronaut

When the Earth is viewed from space it is easy to see how beautiful and delicate our planet really is. From far above, you can see big patterns, like oceans, forests, mountains, and clouds, all working together like a living system. This view helps us understand how different parts of Earth are connected.

Today, we don’t have to go to space to see Earth this way. We can use satellite images from the International Space Station and programs like Landsat to explore our planet from above. These tools let us zoom out to see the big picture and zoom in to study details. We can look at landforms like mountains, rivers, and valleys and see how humans, animals, and plants interact with the environment.

By learning about Earth’s landforms and how they were made, by wind, water, ice, volcanoes, or tectonic forces, we can also learn about other planets and moons. Scientists use what they know about Earth to understand strange landscapes on places like Mars or the Moon. For example, if we see a dry riverbed on Mars, we might guess that water once flowed there, just like it does on Earth.

Looking at Earth from above helps us see the big picture, and it helps us become better explorers of our own world and beyond.