According to the overview effect, they say that when you look at it, you can't stop. And indeed, no one can deny the charm of gazing at planet Earth from space, while floating in a vast universe full of stars. But at the same time, with the magnetism it causes, it also generates an intense emotion... Those lucky enough to have seen the view in question describe the experience as unique, as a miracle of life that drastically changed the way the observer thinks, as an overview effect...
The same is confirmed by various studies conducted over the last four decades on astronauts, who described it as a life-changing experience. "Seeing the Earth as a fragile, life-filled ball hanging in an infinite void, you automatically stop thinking as before.".
As the interviewees described it, being in space it was impossible to stop gazing at the “home planet.” In fact, this particular experience was so identical for everyone that they called it “the overview effect.” But what exactly is the feeling?
When you consider the size of the Earth and its atmosphere – which to us looks like an endless blue sky – you realize that what you see from space is more real: a very thin and fragile coating, so thin that if you were to compare the Earth to a globe, the atmosphere would be thinner than paint on plastic. This, combined with the tiny size of the Earth compared to that of the galaxy, makes it clear how fragile it can be.
These two thoughts are the main ones that give the meaning of the "overview effect". That is, the feeling of awe at the sight of our planet, but at the same time the most intense concern for it, the responsibility for life on it. In fact, many were those who found it stronger than their mission itself. And of course, as most of them add, this experience changed not only their perspective, but also their entire behavior, as since then the future of our planet has always been in their thoughts.
"When we got to the moon, our entire attention was focused on it. We didn't think to look back at Earth. But when we did, that seemed to be the most important reason for the trip," are some of the astronauts' statements, according to the co-founder of the Overview, David Beaver. In addition to the astronauts who describe feeling the overview effect, even their relatives report noticing a change in their perception and thinking. A typical example is Carl Sagan's description in his book Contact, which was also made into a film in 1997 with Jodie Foster.
"The big blue 'marble' image of the earth has had a huge impact on how we perceive our relationship with the world around us. When you look at the earth from the sky, you don't see borders, nations, divisions or conflicts. You see a fragile yet powerful miracle and one basic purpose becomes clear: to care for this wonderful and rare thing.".
Many people claim that the overview effect is something that can make a big difference in our world... But how will all of us who are not astronauts be able to understand it? The documentary Planetary has exactly this purpose. To clarify the unclear. The creators tried to describe and inspire all of us non-space people to feel a little more responsible for a planet that is pregnant with life and that is a small dot in our vast cosmic ocean..
