Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

"Pale Blue Dot is a contemplation on humanity, and our future. It asks who we are and where we came from, in order to understand where we are going. In particular, it examines the possibilities of space travel within our solar system and to other stars over the next few centuries. The thing I found most compelling about it was how it described the science of these endeavours in such evocative — indeed poetic — ways. I hadn’t realised it was even possible to write like this, combining clarity, accuracy and beauty, and it made a great impression on me. It was a singular experience to sit in the dark, evening after evening, and gaze in wonder at these images — searching for old favourites and unknown gems; bringing out their inner beauty. It was a lot of work too, but good work, and a real treat to get to play some small part in producing the best images of the Earth we have. When astronauts see the Earth against the black of space, many feel a profound change in perspective that continues even when they return — something to do with seeing the unity of a world unmarred by borders, as well as the fragility and uniqueness of our home amidst an uncaring universe. Known as the ‘Overview Effect’, this has led many to a perspective that places humanity at the centre of their view, instead of their own national conflicts. Even without leaving the surface, I think contemplating these images can give something of that sense of perspective and inspiration to many of us — it certainly did to me. The late Michael Collins, who flew the Apollo 11 command module in 1969, put it well: “I really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of, let’s say 100,000 miles, their outlook would be fundamentally changed. The all-important border would be invisible, that noisy argument suddenly silenced. The tiny globe would continue to turn, serenely ignoring its subdivisions, presenting a unified facade that would cry out for unified understanding, for homogeneous treatment. The earth must become as it appears: blue and white, not capitalist or communist; blue and white, not rich or poor; blue and white, not envious or envied.”"