It’s Bloom ran an article written by Marie Calapano with photo by NASA online 10 hours ago.
“For most people, space is something we only see in photos or documentaries. It feels distant and almost impossible to imagine experiencing firsthand. Yet for astronauts like Ron Garan who actually leave Earth, the view from orbit can be life changing. Many describe the moment they look down at our planet as one of the most powerful experiences of their lives.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
“Life on the International Space Station
“Living in space for months is very different from any experience on Earth. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station float through narrow modules, conduct scientific experiments, and circle the planet every 90 minutes. During long missions, they see sunrises and sunsets multiple times each day while watching continents drift beneath them.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
“178 Days in Orbit
“Former NASA astronaut Ron Garan spent about six months in space during his career, traveling more than 71 million miles while orbiting Earth. During that time, he performed research, worked alongside international crews, and looked down at the planet from a perspective that very few humans have ever experienced. What he saw during those months eventually changed how he thought about the world.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
“A View Few Humans Ever Witness
“Astronauts often talk about the beauty of Earth from space. They see lightning storms flashing across continents and glowing curtains of auroras dancing above the atmosphere. From orbit, oceans appear deep blue, deserts glow in warm colors, and clouds swirl across entire regions. But beyond the beauty, astronauts also notice something else that many people on Earth rarely think about.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
“The Thin Layer That Protects Everything
“From space, Earth’s atmosphere appears shockingly thin. Instead of a thick protective shell, it looks like a fragile film wrapped around the planet. Astronauts often say this delicate layer is what keeps every living thing on Earth alive. Seeing it from orbit can make the planet feel both incredibly beautiful and surprisingly vulnerable.
Photo by NASA
“The Moment That Changed His Perspective
“It was during these quiet moments looking out the window that Garan experienced what scientists call the “overview effect.” This is a shift in perspective many astronauts describe after seeing the entire planet from space. The experience can create a strong sense that Earth is one interconnected system rather than a collection of separate countries and conflicts.
Photo by Unsplash
“The “Lie” He Says Humanity Is Living
“After spending 178 days observing Earth from orbit, Garan came to a striking conclusion. In an interview with Big Think, he said humanity is “living a lie.” From space, he explained, you can see the entire biosphere filled with life, but you cannot see the things that dominate human priorities such as economies, borders, or political divisions. In his words, the systems we focus on often ignore the natural systems that actually sustain life on the planet.
Photo by Pexels
“Rethinking What Really Matters
“Garan believes humanity often organizes its priorities in the wrong order. Instead of placing the health of the planet first, modern societies often treat environmental systems as secondary to economic activity. From the perspective of space, he argues the order should be reversed. The planet must come first, followed by society, and only then the economy that supports it.
Photo by Wikipedia Commons
“Why Many Astronauts Share Similar Feelings
“Garan is not alone in this experience. Many astronauts describe returning to Earth with a stronger sense that humanity is deeply connected. The overview effect often creates feelings of unity and responsibility for the planet. Researchers who study astronauts say this shift can inspire people to work on environmental issues, humanitarian projects, or global cooperation after returning from space.
Photo by Pexels
“A Different Way to See Our Planet
“Most people will never travel to space, but the message from astronauts like Ron Garan still resonates. Seeing Earth from orbit reminds them that borders are human inventions while the planet itself is shared by everyone. In the end, the lesson from 178 days in space may be simple but powerful: when viewed from far enough away, humanity begins to look less divided and far more connected than we often believe.